At that time many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to live there,

They went to the king and said, “How long will you fail to do justice and to avenge our kindred?

Then the fear and dread of them fell on all the people, for they said, “There is no truth or justice in them, for they have violated the agreement and the oath that they swore.”

“The people saw Simon’s faithfulness and the glory that he had resolved to win for his nation, and they made him their leader and high priest, because he had done all these things and because of the justice and loyalty that he had maintained toward his nation. He sought in every way to exalt his people.