Verse 2 for we seek The people of the land sought to hinder the work in three ways: (1) by seeking to draw the Jews into an unreal union, Ezra 4:3. (cf) 2 Kings 17:32. (2) by "weakening the hands of the people of Judah," Ezra 4:4 i.e, by withholding supplies, etc.; and (3) by accusations lodged with Ahasuerus and Darius. The first was by far the most subtle and dangerous. The lives of Ezra and Nehemiah afford many illustrations of true separation. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 Timothy 2:19-21. Verse 6 Ahasuerus The Cambyses of secular history (529-521 BC); not the Ahasuerus of Esther, who is the Xerxes of secular history (485 BC). (See Scofield "Daniel 5:31") . Verse 7 Artaxerxes The Artaxerxes of Ezra 4:7 is identical with Ahasuerus of Ezra 4:6, i.e. the Cambyses of profane history. The Artaxerxes of Ezra 7:1 is the Longimanus of secular history, BC 418. But (See Scofield "Daniel 5:31") . Verse 21 Give Chald. make a new decree.