John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:23
Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions ,.... By him or them to whom it was particularly directed: they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews ; not only in obedience to the king's command, but from an eagerness of spirit to put a stop to the proceedings of the Jews, to whom they had an aversion, instigated by the Samaritans: and made them to cease by force and power ; from going on with the building of the... read more
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