Verse 1The son - His grand - child; for he was the son of Baraciah. Prophesied - Commanding them from God to return to building the temple, with a promise of his favour and assistance. Verse 2Helping - Encouraging the people to work by their presence, and assurance of success. It is supposed, the work had stopt about fifteen years. The first chapter of Haggai is the best comment on these two verses. Verse 3Shethar - boznai - Not Rehum and Shimshai, &c. who were either dead, or removed from their office by Darius. Verse 8Great God - And indeed, thus far the greater part of the Samaritans agreed with them. Verse 17Now therefore. &c. - If the case had been so fairly stated to Artaxerxes, he would hardly have hindered the work. The people of God could not be persecuted, if they were not belied.