The Battle of Judea

Helophrenes, the general of nebuchadnezzar, had plundered and destroyed all their temples. And he demolished all their shrines and cut down their sacred groves. The people fasted many days throughout judea and in jerusalem before the sanctuary of the lord almighty. They even surrounded the altar with sackcloth and cried out in unison,. praying earnestly to the god of israel not to give up their infants as prey and their wives as booty.