4 Then the people of the land discouraged e the people of Judah , and frightened them from building , 5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their counsel all the days of Cyrus king of Persia , even until the reign of Darius king of Persia .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezra 4:4-5
Commentary on Ezra 4:1-5
(Read Ezra 4:1-5)
Every attempt to revive true religion will stir up the opposition of Satan, and of those in whom he works. The adversaries were the Samaritans, who had been planted in the land of Israel, 2 Kings 17. It was plain that they did not mean to unite in the worship of the Lord, according to his word. Let those who discourage a good work, and weaken them that are employed in it, see whose pattern they follow.