John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Then Darius the king made a decree , etc.] To make inquiry after the edict of Cyrus, to search the public records for it: and search was made in the house of the rolls ; or “books” f52 , in a public library or museum: where the treasures were laid up in Babylon ; where things of worth and value were reposited; not only gold, silver, jewels, and precious stones, and things rare and curious, but all sorts of writings relating to the monarchy, and the dominions belonging to it; but it seems it could not be found here, and therefore the king ordered search to be made elsewhere.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-12 - When God's time is come for fulfilling his gracious purposes concernin his church, he will raise up instruments to do it, from whom such goo service was not expected. While our thoughts are directed to thi event, we are led by Zechariah to fix our regard on a nobler, spiritual building. The Lord Jesus Christ continues to lay one ston upon another: let us assist the great design. Difficulties delay the progress of this sacred edifice. Yet let not opposition discourage us for in due season it will be completed to his abundant praise. He shal bring forth the head-stone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grac unto it.
Original Hebrew באדין116 דריושׁ1868 מלכא4430 שׂם7761 טעם2942 ובקרו1240 בבית1005 ספריא5609 די1768 גנזיא1596 מהחתין5182 תמה8536 בבבל׃895
