Ezr 4:18 | KingComments | STEP | The answer comes ( ). After the usual introduction the king announces that the document has been read before him ( ). Then the king mentions that he has issued a decree to investigate the matter ( ). The findings of that investigation ( ) and the decree he gives ( ) show that he was misled by the deceit and lies of the writers of the document. He did not carefully examine their statements about the Jews and what they are doing now. He has accepted the accusations as proven. As a result, he is prepared to send them a decree to stop the work. He urges the enemies to carry out his command quickly. He motivates the command with the words the enemies have used to incite him to act ( ; ). Kings are extremely sensitive to loss of income. The enemies have used this sensitive point cunningly and successfully.

‏ Ezra 4:18

The King’s Answer

The answer comes (Ezra 4:17). After the usual introduction the king announces that the document has been read before him (Ezra 4:18). Then the king mentions that he has issued a decree to investigate the matter (Ezra 4:19). The findings of that investigation (Ezra 4:20) and the decree he gives (Ezra 4:21) show that he was misled by the deceit and lies of the writers of the document.

He did not carefully examine their statements about the Jews and what they are doing now. He has accepted the accusations as proven. As a result, he is prepared to send them a decree to stop the work. He urges the enemies to carry out his command quickly. He motivates the command with the words the enemies have used to incite him to act (Ezra 4:22; Ezra 4:13). Kings are extremely sensitive to loss of income. The enemies have used this sensitive point cunningly and successfully.