“Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; the children: Heb. the sons of the transportation”
Meaning, the inhabitants of Samaria, whom the king of Assyria had placed in the stead of the ten tribes, 2 Kings 17:24 and 19:37. These professed God, but worshipped idols also, and therefore were the greatest enemies to the true servants of God.
“But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.”
For they perceived what their pretence was, to wit, to erect idolatry instead of true religion.
“Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,”
Hebrew, made their hands weak .
“And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.”
They bribed the governors under the king to hinder their work: Thus they that halt, cannot abide that God should be purely served.
“And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. Ahasuerus: Heb. Ahashverosh”
He was also called Artaxerxes, which is a Persian name, some think it was Cambises Cyrus’ son, or Darius, as verse 5 .
“And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue. Bishlam: or, in peace companions: Heb. societies”
Called Artaxerxes, which signifieth in the Persian tongue, an excellent warrior.
“Then wrote Rehum the chancellor , and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites, companions: Chald. societies”
These were certain people which the Assyrians placed in Samaria instead of the ten tribes.
“And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time. at such: Chaldee, Cheeneth”
Which were a certain people that envied the Jews. Some think it was Sennacherib, but rather Shalmaneser. To wit, Euphrates: and he meaneth in respect of Babel that they dwelt beyond it.
“Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings. pay: Chal. give revenue: or, strength”
Meaning, the gifts that are wont to be given to kings when they pass by any country.
“Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king; we have: Chal. we are salted with the salt of the palace”
Hebrew, in the Chaldea , we have eaten the salt of the palace .
“Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor , and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time. companions: Chal. societies”
Called also Cheeneth, as verse 11 . Some read for Shalom, salutation or greeting.
“Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.”
Not altogether for the Prophets exhorted them to continue, but they used less diligence because of the troubles.