Ezra 4:23-24

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 4:23

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:24

Then ceased the work of the house of God, which is at Jerusalem ,.... How far they had proceeded is not said, whether any further than laying the foundation of it; though probably, by this time, it might be carried to some little height; however, upon this it was discontinued: so it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia ; not Darius Nothun, as some think, for from the first of Cyrus to the sixth of his reign, when the temple was finished, was upwards of one... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 4:23

Made them to cease by force and power - Commanded them on pain of the king's displeasure not to proceed, obliging all to remit their labors, and probably bringing an armed force to prevent them from going forward. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 4:24

So it ceased unto the second year of - Darius - They had begun in the first year of Cyrus, b.c. 536, to go up to Jerusalem, and they were obliged to desist from the building b.c. 522; and thus they continued till the second year of Darius, b.c. 519. See the chronology in Haggai 1:1 ; (note) and Zechariah 1:1 ; (note) and the following chapter, Ezra 5 (note). 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 4:23

They went up in haste. The "adversaries" lost no time. Having obtained the decree which forbad further building, they proceeded with it to Jerusalem, and by a display of force compelled the Jews to submission. No doubt resistance might have been made, but resistance would have been rebellion. read more

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