Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · Ezra · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
THE foundation of the Temple was no sooner laid, but the Jews enemies Vers. 1. Vers. 2. Vers. 3. Vers. 4.hearing thereof came to Zorobabel, and offered to joyne with them in this building, alleaging, that since the dayes of Esarhaddon the King of Assyria, who brought them thither, they sacrificed to none other God. But Zorobabel denyed them, and alleaged the decree of Cyrus, that the Jews onelyonly should build it, for which cause they sought to hinder them as much as they could, and did hinder the building of the Temple all the dayes of Cyrus, that it went no farther forward all his dayes, nor after his decease till the reigne of Darius, that is, Darius Histaspis Vers. 5.who succeeded Cambyses, otherwise called Ahashuerus, or Artaxerxes, ver. 6, 7. For Cyrus having reigned after the Monarchy of those parts attained, nine years, was slain by Thomiris Queen of the Massagetes, having committed his Kingdom to his son Cambyses when he went to that war, then he having reigned eight years, the Magi obteined the Kingdom seven moneths, after whom being slain, this Darius was chosen King by the neighing of his horse, so that the work was intermitted about 19 years. In the time of Cyrus, because he was busied with divers wars with the Lydians, who revolted from him, after that he had subdued them, and that by the means of Pactias, to whom he had committed the treasure of Croesus, taken there to carry to Ecbatana, his chief City. For hereby he animated the Lydians against Cyrus, and went and besieged Sardis the chiefe City of the Countrey, which was by him committed to one Tabulus to keepe, Cyrus therefore fought against the Lydians, and overcame them the second time, and would have destroyed Sardis, but that Croesus desired him rather to take all Herodotus.Armes away from them only, and to forbid them to have any hereafter, and instead of exercising themselves therein, to use playing upon instruments of Musique, perswading him, that thus they would soon grow effeminate and no more dangerous for rebellion. And so indeed it proved, the most warlike people of that Countrey becomming most womanish and unfit for War. 2 Hee had Wars with the Massagetes, against whom he by the advice of Croesus used this policy, he sent a weak part of his Army against them, for hee had therein …00000 men, who were instructed, to leave in their tents, when they should flee before the Massagetes good store of wine and other provision, and having done so, the third part of the Massagetes Army which only was employed against them, having overcome them, and taken their tents, ate and drank abundantly, and thereupon fell into a dead sleep, then the Persians returning slue and took them all, and took Spargapises, the son of Thomiris their Queen. Hereupon she rayled against Cyrus, and bad him return speedily into his own Countrey, upbrayding him with his deceit, and threatned for his bloud-thirstinesse to kill him with bloud soone, if he did not. And so, he contemning all that shee sayd, shee proceeded to battell against him and slue him, and all his men, not leaving one alive to tell the news, and having found him amongst the dead cut off his head, and filled a vessell with bloud▪ and cast it in saying, Satisfie thy self now with bloud, which thou hast so much thirsted after. By reason of these Wars Cyrus could no more, whilst he lived, intend the building of the Temple, and therefore the enemies of the Jews neere about them might easily hinder it all his days. So that great Monarch having been King of Persia 20 or 21 years, and nine years over all the Kingdoms round about him fell with his whole Army through the prowesse of a woman. And when Cambyses attained the Kingdom after him, the Samaritans wrought so with those, that were great about him, that he would not suffer the Iews to go foward in this building curing his reigne. But to returne to the enemies, that hindered the building because they might not be permitted to build amongst them. They are thought to be the Samaritans, that is, the people placed in Samaria by the King of Assyria, when he had carryed Israel away captive, from which time they say, 2 Kings 17.that they sacrificed to none other God, but to the Lord. Whereas they say, that they were brought thither by Esarhaddon, who was son to Sanneherib, and when he was slain, reigned in his stead, but Salmanasar a Predecessour of Sanneheribs brought those thither, that dwelt in Samaria according to the sacred History. Lyra 2 Kings 19.and others say, that these were another company sent over, after that the other were, many of them destroyed by Lyons, together with a Priest to instruct them in the service of the true God, after which they are sayd to have feared the Lord, but to have served their Idols still. Wherefore they sayd untruly, that they sacrificed to none other, but to their god, as also when they offered to build with them, they did it but in dissimulation, that they might have an interest in the Temple to bring in their Idolotry thither also, which Zorobabel suspected, and therefore denyed their joyning vvith him and his Ievvs. And with what an ill minde they made this attempt, appeareth in that they practiced against this building to hinder it so soon as they were denyed. Pellican observeth hence, that we ought not to have communion Pellican.with such, as worship no God sincerely, that is, which worship God so, as that they serve Idols also, and this was reason enough to reject their motion, but because Zorobabel would not provoke them, he passing this over in silence, alleageth Note. only the Kings Decree. And upon this ground Papists refuse to have communion with Protestants, whom they count Hereticks, but they themselves are far more aptly resembled by the Samaritans for their man fest Idolatry both practized by them, and commanded by their second Nicen Councell.
It is sayd, that …hey might hinder this work, they hyred Counsellours against Vers. 5. Josephus.them, that is, as Josephus hath it, they by Bribes corrupted such officers, as were by King Cyrus appoi…ted to defray the charges out of his treasury, that they devised some excuses to Cyrus, and so held their hands, when he by reason of his distractions had no leysure to look so narrowly into it, whereby it came to passe, that their hands were weakned, and this work, although it did not utterly ceasse, went but slowly forward, untill the death of Cyrus. But hee being dead, and Ahashuerosh or Cambyses comming to the Kingdome, the enemies waxed more bold, and by writing to him obteins an utter cessation thereof all his time, which vvas about nine yeares.
In the dayes of Artaxerxes wrote Ribstan, Mithredates, and Fabeel, &c. These Vers. 7. Iunius.three, and they that are said to be their fellows, vvere Toparchs, saith Iunius, and the other tvvo, ver. 8. Presidents of those parts, and he saith, that they vvrote in the Syriack tongue, because the Ievvs commonly understood it: But Pellican contrarivvise Pellican.that it might not be read of the Ievvs, vvho vvere about the King, yet Lyra Lyra.expounds it, as Iunius. saying, that it vvas both vvritten and read in Syriack, that it might be understood by the King and the Ievvs, amongst vvhom it vvas sent, vvell understood that tongue, seeing they had dvvelt long in Babylon. And divers Vers. 9, 10.other peoples are numbred, vvhichwhich vvrote to the same effect vvith them, as the Dinzans, Aparsatheans, &c. vvhom the noble Asn…ppar is said to have brought and placed in Samaria. In some Translations, sayth Lyra, it is Salmanasar, but in Hebrevv it is Asn…ppar, and he is held to be the same vvith Esachaddon, vvho is said, ver. 2, to have brought them thither, they being tvvo names, of one and the same man, vvhereas these people are said to have dvvelt beyond the river, the river Euphrates is meant, for that vvas be vveen the land of Judea and Assyria.
Now in their Letter they gave the King to understand that the Jews were Vers. 12.about building the City Jerusalem, and if they were suffered so to doe, there would be danger that he should have no more tribute paid unto him, yea, of losing all that Province. Before this nothing is said of building the City, but of the Temple onelyonly, nor in the Proclamation of King Cyrus, but it is to be understood, that when the building of the Temple was permitted, the building of the City wherein it stood, was permitted also, or else, how should the people have dwelt in it? And this, as seeming most materiall to these Samaritans to move the King withall is laid to their charge, the Temple not being once mentioned, as being a work about which they did little, since that by their enemies conspiring against them, they had the charges at the first allowed by Cyrus kept back. Ver. 15. They will the King that the Records may be searched, that thereby the rebellions of the Vers. 15.Jews against others his predecessors might appeare to make their present accusation the more probable. For Kings had their Chronicles in all Countreyes, wherein all memorable things were recorded, and therein was set down their rebellions against former Kings of Assyria and Babylon, ever since the time of King Ahaz, who first inthralled his Kingdom to Tiglath Pileser.
King Artaxerxes having read their Epistle, returneth answer, that it was true Vers. 18.touching that which they had written unto him, the Jews had always been rebellious, and in times past had mighty Kings of their own, who reigned far and wide, and took tribute, that is, David and Solomon, and therefore he commanded, that they should not suffer them to build any more, &c.
And so they accordingly, by force kept the Jews from building the City, and Vers. 23.thus the Temples building also was hindered, although not by the King forbidden, unlesse as a part of the City, but howsoever it was hindered, it seemeth by that which is said, Chap. 5. 16. that it was not altogether intermitted, no not at this time, of this Artaxerxes or Cambyses: Eusebius sayth, that he was called the Euseb. Chron.second Nebuchandnezar, as he might well be, because of his enmity against the Iews, in that as he destroyed the City and Temple, so this man would not suffer the re-building of it. And by the History written of him by Herodotus and Justin, it appeareth that he was a man most ambitious of dominion, 2 contemner of all Religion, and a cruell Tyrant, and was judged accordingly. For first he took occasion to quarrell with Amasis King of Egypt about his daughter, and fought against and subdued Egypt, destroying their Idols, and particularly causing their god Apis by the Priests thereof to be brought unto him, which was a choise bullock rarely marked, kept in a Temple, and deriding their superstition, he with his sword thrust it into the side, of which wound it languished and dyed. Then he sent to spoile the Temple of Jupiter Ammon in Lybia, but they that were sent by him were destroyed by a tempest of sand over-whelming them. After this, he also fraudulently sent a present to the King of Ethiopia, pretending a desire of amity, but intending thus to make him secure, and then to invade him. But that King wisely seeing into his end, told his Embassadours plainly thereof, and returned unto him a bow, bidding them to say unto him, that he were best to forbeare comming thither, untill the Persians were able to bend that bow, and then also to increase his number. For the Ethiopians, called Macrobians for their long life, were mighty men, being nine or ten foot high. Cambyses, notwithstanding, bent his course towards Ethiopia, but through want of victuals by the way, he was constrained to kill the horse formeat, and then every tenth man, and so with great losse and shame to return into Egypt again. For his cruelty, it appears by these few examples. His brother Smerdis being present when the how was brought from the King of Ethiopia, attempted to draw it, which he did within three inches, but none else could doe the like, wherefore the King being jealous of him, least he should aspire to the Kingdom, sent him away, and a man after him to kill him, which was done accordingly. He also having a lust to his own sister, would Herodotus.take her to wife, but because he knew that the Persians would not endure it, he first called the Judges, and demanded of them, whether he might not by the Laws of the Persians marry her. They fearing his displeasure, said, there was no Law whereby such a thing might be done, but by the Persians Law, the King might doe what he pleased, and so he marryed her, but within a while when he was with her, beholding a lyon put out to a masty dog, to fight with him, who having torne, and almost kild him, another dog, fellow to that which was in danger espying it, brake loose from the place where he was tyed, and run and helped his fellow, and so together they overcame the lyon: he laughed to see this sport, but shee wept, and being by him asked the cause, shee answered, shee wept to see that the poor lyon had no brother to helpe him, whereupon he fell into a rage, as thinking himselfe thus taxed for his brothers death and slew her. Pretaspes also whom he had with him a… his Counsellour, being asked what the people said of him, and answering, that the common speech was, that he was too much given Nauclerus.to drinking he was so moved at this his freedom to admonish him, which he thought for, his familiarity with him, that he might be bold to doe, as that hee caused his son to be brought forth, and set for a marke to shoot at, saying, hereby thou shalt perceive whether I be a man intemperate, and troubled in my head or no. If I shoot and hit thy sonne into the heart, then it will appear that I am sober, and it is false which the Persians say of me, and having shot, he caused his body presently to be ripped, and finding that he had pierced his heart, he rejoyced greatly, neither durst the father say any other, but praise his skill, in such slavery are the most familiar friends of Tyrants unto them. After this also he put Croesus from him, who was bold to reprove him for killing twelve of the Persians, for which he bent his bow to shoot at him, but he perceiving it, avoided out of the room: then he commanded one to kill him, this being by Croesus perceived, he wrought so with him, that he was content that he should hide himselfe, untill that the King asked again after him, and if when he spake of him, he should desire his company, he should bring him forth unto him alive, but if otherwise he should declare again his pleasure was that he should die, he should yeeld himselfe to death. Now, it so hapned that the King asked after him as desiring him, then the man to whom the charge had been given to kill him, said, that he was still alive of which Cambyses was glad, one receiving him again into his grace, hee caused the other that saved him contrary to his command, to be put to death. Besides these, he cruelly kild unjustly many more. But at last, it came to him according to his demerits: for one Smerdis a Magus, to whom he had committed the Government of Persia, in his absence, tooke the Kingdom vponupon him, giving it out that he was Smardis the Kings brother, being also most like unto him in favour and person. The King hearing this, called the man unto him, to whom he had committed the killing of his brother Smerdis, and examines him again about it, he affirmed, that he had buried him with his own hands, and so being satisfied touching that, he hastned against the usurper, but in taking horse, his sword fell out of the scabbard, and wounded him mortally on his side, where he had stab'd Apis before. Then he cals together his Nobles, and certifies them, that Smerdis his brother was certainly dead, and therefore he that now usurped was another man, that they might not suffer him in the throne, and so he dyed: and this was thought by the Egyptians to have befalne him as a just judgement for his contempt of the gods. And indeed in a man, either of no Religion, or of a false Religion, Note. it is no marvaill to see vengeance comming upon him for his contempt, even of superstition, because such are without God in the world, and so under the power of the Devill, by him to be carried headlong to destruction, that ruleth in them.
Thus then it appeareth that Darius came not immediately to the Crown after Artaxerxes, but Smerdes a usurper having first held it seven moneths according to Herodotus. For the manner how he was cut off, he sayth it was thus. At the first the man to whom the King had given a charge to murther his brother, after the King Artaxerxes his death denyed it utterly, as fearing, that if he should confesse it, his life might be in danger. Hereupon the Smerdes now reigning, was suffered to sit upon the throne in quiet, yet when the Princes saw that he kept himselfe so secret, that none of them could see him in a long time, they began to marvail at it, for although the Persian Kings holding it a point of royall state, not to be often seen of the people, yet the Princes somtimes were admitted into his sight: Therefore it not neing now so done unto them, they much suspected that he was not the right Smerdes of the bloud Royall, who now reigned, and one of them especially called Othanes, Uncle to Cambyses, being desirous to sift out the truth, sent by a secret messenger to his daughter Phaedima, who had been one of Cambyses his wives, and now was taken by this Magus, as also the rest of his wives were, desiring her to let him understand whether this were that Smerdes indeed, which was Cambyses his brother, but shee returning answer that shee knew not, for shee had never seen that brother of the King, he willed her to aske Atossa the daughter of Cyrus that question. But when she answered again that she was kept from her, and so were all the wives of Cambyses, that they never could come one at another: he yet devised another way to finde it out, and that was this. He called to minde, that Smerdes the Maguto lost his eares once by the command of Cambyses. He willed his daughter therefore, once more, when he slept by her, to feele whether this Smerdes had any eares or no, and when shee had thus done, and certified him of the truth, he being resolved that he was an usurper, and calling two other Princes into Counsel with him, disclosed the matter unto him, then unto those three were joyned three more, who agreed together to enter the Palace by night, and to kill such of the Guard as resisted them, till they should come at the King, and did so upon such a sodain, that they found little resistance, till that by the noise which was made in the Court, his two brothers started up, and took one a bow and arrows, and the other a speare to resist them, but they being soon quelled, they came to the Usurper and slew him, defending himselfe with the leg of a golden chaire standing in his bed chamber. Then after consultation, they agreed together for the Government of the Kingdom, to choose a new King, and it was done thus. A certain place was appointed, for all the Princes to meet together, early in the morning before the Sun, and hee whose horse neighed first after the Sun rising should be King, for the Persians were worshippers of the Sun, and to the Sun used to sacrifice horses. Therefore the horse of Darius neighing first, he was immediately saluted as King by all the rest. And this was Darius, the sonne of Histaspis, concerning whom being but 20 years old, and so thought to be too young to goe to war, Cyrus had dreamt in his last expedition against the Massagetes, that he saw him having upon his shoulders two wings, which covered all Asia and Europe. This he taking to portend his atteining to the Monarchie over both these parts, called Histaspis his father to him, and told him that he much suspected his sonne for rebellion, and therefore would have him return home forthwith, and look to him that he attempted nothing, threatning at his return to call him to an account. But this dream took not effect till this time, being nine or ten years after. Darius being thus made King, the rest of the conspirators made him to agree to these two conditions. 1 That he should take no wife but of their daughters. 2 That it should be lawfull for any of them at any time, to come and speak with him, without any messengers going between, unlesse he were in private with his wife, Intafernes therefore after he had fulfilled one condition in marrying Phaedima the daughter of Othanes, went to speak with him, and passing on till he came at the porter, he vvould have entered into the room where Darius was, but being told by the porter, and him that brought answer from the King, that he was then with his wife, and therefore not to be spoken with, he took them two in a rage, and cut off their ears and noses, and putting bridles about their necks let them goe, because he thought that he was deluded by them. They being thus deformed, went into the King, and when he understood vvhat was done, and by whom, he first feared that it was done by the consent of the rest of the Princes, as meaning to rebell against him. But upon inquiry finding that Intafernes was the sole agent, and that none of them had any knowledge thereof, he sent immediately, and caused Intafernes with all his house to be put in prison, intending to punish them all with death. But his wife seeing the danger wherein her husband and his whole house stood, went to the Court, and ceassed not by her tears to importune him so, as that he granted her the life of one of the house whom shee should desire, then shee desiring her brother, the King would know the reason, why shee beg'd his life rather then her husbands, and she answering, because if her husband were dead she might have another husband, and by him more children, but if her brother, she could not have a brother again, the King was so well pleased herewith, that he granted her not onelyonly his life, but also the life of her eldest sonne, and caused all the rest to be put to death. Darius being thus established in the throne, the Temples building went not yet forward till the second yeare of his reigne. Yet Josephus saith, that Vers. 24. Iosephus.he had vowed, if he were King, that it should be built, and that out of 3 Esdras 4. where it is said, that Zorababel standing before Darius with two other young men, spake so wisely beyond them, that the King bid him aske what he would, and it should be done for him. Then he humbly desired his Majesty to remember his vow that he had made, if he were King to build Jerusalem, and to restore the vessels pertaining to the Temple, whereunto he immediately consenting, gave bounteously to this work yearly till it were finished, and sent home the Jews remaining, and made them free, &c. Wherefore it is most probable that Zorobabel by the counsell of the High Priest, and elders of the Jews went over to Persia, in the first year of the reigne of Darius, being full of hope now, that Artaxerxes was dead, who had been an enemy to all Religion, and Darius had attained to the Kingdom, that he should prevail with him to further the building of the Temple. Especially for that familiarity which he had with him in times past, when he lived in Babylon, and heard him make such a vow, intimating the piety that was in him. And if the story of that Esdras be true, he thus prevailed, as hath beene said, and the next year they fell afresh to the building, as followeth, Chapter 5.