Ezra 4:19 ASV

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 4:19

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:6-24

Three thoughts from old documents. The determined attempts made by the Samaritans to prevent the Jews from building the temple and the walls of Jerusalem are well illustrated in the correspondence between them and the king of Persia. Documents passed between the two of which we have the superscription and contents in these verses. They remind us— I. THAT MEN MAY TAKE AN IMMENSITY OF TROUBLE TO DO OTHER PEOPLE HARM AND MAKE THEMSELVES INFAMOUS . These... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:6-24

Three thoughts from old documents. The determined attempts made by the Samaritans to prevent the Jews from building the temple and the walls of Jerusalem are well illustrated in the correspondence between them and the king of Persia. Documents passed between the two of which we have the superscription and contents in these verses. They remind us— I. THAT MEN MAY TAKE AN IMMENSITY OF TROUBLE TO DO OTHER PEOPLE HARM AND MAKE THEMSELVES INFAMOUS . These... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:17-24

The work stopped. The ostensible object of the letter to Artaxerxes ( Ezra 4:11-16 ) was to stop the building of the walls of Jerusalem. Its real object was to put a stop to the building of God's house. In this for a time it succeeded, as our present passage records. Two things are to be especially noticed in the story of this grievous success. The weapon obtained was most efficient; the use made of it was most effectual. I. As EFFICIENT AID IS AS EVIL PLAN . This the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:17-24

Man hindering the work of God. I. THAT MEN ARE CAPABLE OF HINDERING THE WORK OF GOD . "Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded" ( Ezra 4:21 ). 1. Presumptuous. "Then ceased the work of the house of God." How could presumption be greater than to stop the work of God; let men pluck the stars from the heavens, but let them not injure the Church of Christ. 2. Perplexing. Is it not a mystery that the Eternal will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:19

I commanded, and search has been made . The Pseudo-Smerdis, who was a fanatical adherent of Magism, which disallowed temples altogether (Herod; 1.130), and who had already destroyed the temples of Ormuzd in Persia ('Behistun Ins.,' col. 1. par. 14, 5), was naturally willing enough to do as the Samaritans desired, and stop the restoration of the Jewish temple. Accordingly, he had a search made among the state records, and found, as they had expected he would, evidence of insurrections on the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 4:19

The archives of the Babylonian kingdom would contain accounts of the insurrections raised, or threatened, by Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah 2Ki 24:1, 2 Kings 24:10, 2 Kings 24:20. It does not appear that there had ever been any rebellion against Persia. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezra 4:19-20

Ezra 4:19-20. That rebellion and sedition have been found therein One instance or two of it, in latter times, had served to fasten this odious character upon them, as if they had been always guilty of these crimes. There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem And therefore the king thought it not advisable to permit them to go on with rebuilding the city, lest they should become powerful again. read more

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:6-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:6-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:17-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:17-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:19

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 4:19

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezra 4:19-20

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