John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. And it came to pass, in the fourth year of King Darius , etc.] Near two years after the foundation of the temple was laid, ( Haggai 2:10,18) and near two years before it was finished, ( Ezra 6:15) when the work was going forward, and there was a great deal of reason to believe it would be completed: [that] the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, in the fourth [day] of the ninth month, [even] in Chisleu : which answers to part of our October, and part of November.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - If we truly desire to know the will of God in doubtful matters, we mus not only consult his word and ministers, but seek his direction by fervent prayer. Those who would know God's mind should consult God' ministers; and, in doubtful cases, ask advice of those whose specia business it is to search the Scriptures. The Jews seemed to questio whether they ought to continue their fasts, seeing that the city an temple were likely to be finished. The first answer to their inquiry in a sharp reproof of hypocrisy. These fasts were not acceptable to God unless observed in a better manner, and to better purpose. There wa the form of duty, but no life, or soul, or power in it. Holy exercise are to be done to God, looking to his word as our rule, and his glor as our end, seeking to please him and obtain his favour; but self wa the centre of all their actions. And it was not enough to weep on fas days; they should have searched the Scriptures of the prophets, tha they might have seen what was the ground of God's controversy with their fathers. Whether people are in prosperity or adversity, they mus be called upon to leave their sins, and to do their duty.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 בשׁנת8141 ארבע702 לדריושׁ1867 המלך4428 היה1961 דבר1697 יהוה3068 אל413 זכריה2148 בארבעה702 לחדשׁ2320 התשׁעי8671 בכסלו׃3691
