Ezr 4:1-5 | Clarke | STEP | The Samaritans endeavor to prevent the rebuilding of the temple, . They send letters to Artaxerxes, against the Jews, . A copy of the letter, . He commands the Jews to cease from building the temple, which they do; nor was any thing farther done in the work till the second year of Darius, . Verse 1 Now when the adversaries - These were the Samaritans, and the different nations with which the kings of Assyria had peopled Israel, when they had carried the original inhabitants away into captivity, see , .

Ezra 4:1-5

Introduction

The Samaritans endeavor to prevent the rebuilding of the temple, Ezr 4:1-5. They send letters to Artaxerxes, against the Jews, Ezr 4:6-9. A copy of the letter, Ezr 4:10-16. He commands the Jews to cease from building the temple, which they do; nor was any thing farther done in the work till the second year of Darius, Ezr 4:17-24.

Verse 1

Now when the adversaries - These were the Samaritans, and the different nations with which the kings of Assyria had peopled Israel, when they had carried the original inhabitants away into captivity, see Ezr 4:9, Ezr 4:10. Verse 2

Let us build with you - We acknowledge the same God, are solicitous for his glory, and will gladly assist you in this work. But that they came with no friendly intention, the context proves. Verse 3

Ye have nothing to do with us - We cannot acknowledge you as worshippers of the true God, and cannot participate with you in anything that relates to his worship. Verse 4

Weakened the hands - Discouraged and opposed them by every possible means. Verse 5

Hired counsellors - They found means to corrupt some of the principal officers of the Persian court, so that the orders of Cyrus were not executed; or at least so slowly as to make them nearly ineffectual.

Until the reign of Darius - This was probably Darius the son of Hystaspes.