Ezra 4:19-24

19 I decreed, and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old time has made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
20 There have been mighty kings also over Yerushalayim, who have ruled over all [the country] beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid to them.
21 Make you now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built, until a decree shall be made by me.
22 Take heed that you not be slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
23 Then when the copy of king Artachshasta' letter was read before Rechum, and Shimshai the Sofer, and their companions, they went in haste to Yerushalayim to the Yehudim, and made them to cease by force and power.
24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Yerushalayim; and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Daryavesh king of Paras.

Ezra 4:19-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 4

The contents of this chapter are the offer the Samaritans made to the Jews, to assist them in building the temple, which having refused, they gave them all the trouble they could, Ezr 4:1-6 and a letter of theirs to Artaxerxes, king of Persia, full of accusations of them, Ezr 4:7-16 and the answer of Artaxerxes to it, giving orders to command the Jews to cease building the temple, Ezr 4:17-22 which orders were accordingly executed, and the work ceased till the second year of Darius, Ezr 4:23,24.

The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.