For he went to the king at Ptolemais, taking silver and gold and clothing and numerous other gifts: Jonathan risked his life not only in appearing before the king, but also in meeting him at Ptolemais, a city hostile to him (see 1Macc 12.48). He demonstrated his strong position by the gifts he took, as if to say “I have fought successful battles, and can still afford to be generous with gifts like these.” They demonstrated a strong position, but at the same time by accepting them Demetrius could convince himself that Jonathan was submitting to his authority. As Goldstein points out, the royal treasury was probably almost empty after the recent wars, and Demetrius could welcome the gifts.

And he won his favor: See the comments on 1Macc 10.60.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.