John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign , etc.] According to Jarchi, this was Ahasuerus the husband of Esther; but, as most think f39 , was Cambyses, the son and successor of Cyrus; so Josephus f40 ; who was an enemy to the Egyptians; and, fearing the Jews might take part with them, was no friend to them; their enemies therefore took the advantage of the death of Cyrus, and the first opportunity after Cambyses reigned in his own right: and wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem ; full of hatred and enmity, spite and malice, charging them as a turbulent, disobedient, and rebellious people.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-24 - It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for tru godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he see things as they are _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ובמלכות4438 אחשׁורושׁ325 בתחלת8462 מלכותו4438 כתבו3789 שׂטנה7855 על5921 ישׁבי3427 יהודה3063 וירושׁלם׃3389
