John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews , etc.] He in his providence looked favourably at them, smiled upon them, encouraged them in the work by his good Spirit, and by the prophets, and gave them success, and protected and defended them, (see 2 Chronicles 16:9 Zechariah 3:9 4:10), that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius ; they were not intimidated by what the governor and those with him said to them, but went on in their work; nor did the governor attempt to interrupt them, they having referred him and their cause to Darius for the truth of what they had said, and for further information from him: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter ; that is, Tatnai and those with him sent a letter to Darius about this affair, to which they had an answer, which are both related in this and the following chapters.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3-17 - While employed in God's work, we are under his special protection; his eye is upon us for good. This should keep us to our duty, and encourag us therein, when difficulties are ever so discouraging. The elders of the Jews gave the Samaritans an account of their proceedings. Let u learn hence, with meekness and fear, to give a reason of the hope tha is in us; let us rightly understand, and then readily declare, what we do in God's service, and why we do it. And while in this world, we always shall have to confess, that our sins have provoked the wrath of God. All our sufferings spring from thence, and all our comforts from his unmerited mercy. However the work may seem to be hindered, yet the Lord Jesus Christ is carrying it on, his people are growing unto a holy temple in the Lord, for a habitation of God through the Spirit _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ועין5870 אלההם426 הות1934 על5922 שׂבי7868 יהודיא3062 ולא3809 בטלו989 המו1994 עד5705 טעמא2941 לדריושׁ1868 יהך1946 ואדין116 יתיבון8421 נשׁתונא5407 על5922 דנה׃1836
