A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

3. King of Arabia Petraea (probably the same who is mentioned by Hirtius, B. Alex. 1, as sending an auxiliary force of cavalry to Caesar in Egypt, and is termed by him king of the Nabathaeans), was contemporary with Herod the Great, who fled to him for refuge when he was driven out of Jerusalem by Antigonus and the Parthians, B. C. 40. But Malchus, though bound by many obligations to Herod and his father Antipater, refused to receive him in his adversity, and forbade him to enter his territories. At a subsequent period (B. C. 32) hostilities arose between Malchus and Herod, in consequence of the refusal of the former to pay the appointed tribute to Cleopatra, which Herod was charged by Antony to exact by force of arms. The war continued nearly two years with various changes of fortune, but seems to have been terminated by the decisive defeat of the Arabian monarch. We however again hear of Malchus, at a subsequent period, as fomenting the intrigues of Alexandra and Hyrcanus against Herod. (J. AJ 14.14. §§ 1 2, 15.4. §§ 2, 4, 5, 6.2, B. J. 1.14, §§ 1, 2, 19.)

[E.H.B]