As Mattathias was too old to endure the hardships of war, he found
himself growing weaker each day. Knowing that he was about to die, he
summoned his sons around him, gave them his last blessing, and
encouraged them to continue the noble work which he had begun. He
appointed Judas, who was the bravest of his sons, to be their leader in
battle, and Simon, who was the wisest of them, the counsellor of the
nation. Then Mattathias died, and the whole nation mourned for him.