John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 5:1
Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo ,.... The grandson of Iddo; for he was the son of Berechiah, Zechariah 1:1 , prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel ; this they both did in the second year of Darius; the one began in the sixth month, and the other in the eighth month of the year, Haggai 1:1 , even "unto them"; or "against them", as De Dieu; reproving them for their sloth and neglect of building... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 5:1-2
Some reckon that the building of the temple was suspended for only nine years; I am willing to believe that fifteen years were the utmost. During this time they had an altar and a tabernacle, which no doubt they made use of. When we cannot do what we would we must do what we can in the service of God, and be sorry we can do no better. But the counsellors that were hired to hinder the work (Ezra 4:5) told them, and perhaps with a pretence to inspiration, that the time had not come for the... read more