Ezra 4:18

"Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who live in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace."

Key Reflection

In Ezra 4:18, King Artaxerxes responds to Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates by addressing a peace message. This response acknowledges previous insurrections against Persian authority in Samaria and neighboring regions, setting the stage for the king's intervention. The cultural context of this verse reflects the delicate balance of power between local leaders and central governance in the Persian Empire, where even minor disturbances could prompt swift and significant responses from the royal administration.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Hath been ... read -It is doubtful if the Persian monarchs could ordinarily read. At any rate, it was their habit to have documents read to them (compareEsther 6:1). This is still the ordinary practice in Eastern courts.

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