Ezra 4:17-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 4:17-24

Here we have, I. The orders which the king of Persia gave, in answer to the information sent him by the Samaritans against the Jews. He suffered himself to be imposed upon by their fraud and falsehood, took no care to examine the allegations of their petition concerning that which the Jews were now doing, but took it for granted that the charge was true, and was very willing to gratify them with an order of council to stay proceedings. 1. He consulted the records concerning Jerusalem, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:17

Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe ,.... This affair, upon examination, being found to be of importance, the king of Persia thought fit to send an answer to the above letter, which was doing them an honour, and gave them the power and authority they wished to have: and to the rest of their companions that dwelt in Samaria ; in the kingdom, province, and cities of Samaria: and unto the rest beyond the river ; the river Euphrates, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:18

The letter which ye sent unto us ,.... The plural number is used, being now become courtly for kings thus to speak of themselves: hath been plainly before me ; by such that understood both the Syrian and Persian languages; the letter was written in the Syrian language, and the king being a Persian, it was necessary it should be interpreted and explained to him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:19

And I commanded, and search hath been made ,.... In the records of his predecessors, whether Chaldeans or Persians: and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein : and yet this could not be carried higher than to the times of Zedekiah and Jehoiakim, as before observed, which was not one hundred years ago, unless the rebellion of Hezekiah against the king of Assyria could be thought to be in these... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:20

There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river ,.... As David and Solomon; and the account of these they had in their records, see 2 Samuel 8:1 and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them ; as appears from the places referred to; and this served to strengthen the insinuation made to the king, that if these people were suffered to go on building, he would lose his tribute and taxes in those parts. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:21

Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease ,.... From building: and that this city be not builded until another commandment shall be given from me ; he might suspect that this case, in all its circumstances, was not truly stated, and that hereafter he might see reason to recede from the present orders he gave; and the rather, as by searching, and perhaps on his own knowledge, must have observed, that his father Cyrus had shown favour to the Jews, and had not only set them at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:22

Take heed now that ye fail not to do this ,.... To put his orders into execution, and at once, without any loss of time, oblige the Jews to desist from rebuilding the walls of their city, which he was told they were doing, though a great falsehood: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings ? of him and his successors, to be deprived of their toll, tribute, and customs, and to have insurrections, mutinies, and rebellions, in the dominions belonging to them. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 4:17

Peace , and at such a time - The word וכעת ucheeth is like that which we have already considered on Ezra 4:10 , and probably has the same meaning. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 4:19

Hath made insurrection against kings - How true is the proverb, "It is an easy thing to find a staff to beat a dog!" The struggles of the Israelites to preserve or regain their independency, which they had from God, are termed insurrection, rebellion, and sedition: because at last they fell under the power of their oppressors. Had they been successful in these struggles, such offensive words had never been used. In 1688 the people of England struggled to throw off an oppressive... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 4:20

Beyond the river - That is, the Euphrates. Both David and Solomon carried their conquests beyond this river. See 2 Samuel 8:3 , etc., and 1 Kings 4:21 , where it is said, Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river (Euphrates) unto the land of the Philistines; and unto the borders of Egypt. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 4:17-24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 4:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 4:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 4:20

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