Ezra 4:14

14 Now because we have maintenance from [the king's] palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore have we sent and certified the king;

Ezra 4:14 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 4:14

Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace
Have posts under the king, to which salaries were annexed, by which they were supported, and which they had from the king's exchequer; or "salt" ^F15, as in the original, some places of honour and trust formerly being paid in salt; hence, as Pliny ^F16 observes, such honours and rewards were called "salaries":

and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour;
to see any thing done injurious to his crown and dignity, to his honour and revenues, when we are supported by him; this would be ungrateful as well as unjust:

therefore have we sent and certified the king;
of the truth of what is before related; and, for the further confirmation of it, refer him to the ancient records of the kingdom, as follows.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 (xlm) "salem vel sale", Montanus, Vatablus, Michaelis.
F16 Nat. Hist. l. 31. c. 7.

Ezra 4:14 In-Context

12 Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came from thee to us are come to Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the noxious city, and have set up its walls, and joined the foundations.

13 Be it known now to the king, that, if this city shall be built, and the walls set up [again], [then] they will not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and [so] thou wilt endamage the revenue of the kings.

14 Now because we have maintenance from [the king's] palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore have we sent and certified the king;

15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so wilt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city [is] a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.

16 We certify the king that, if this city shall be built [again], and its walls set up, by this means thou wilt have no portion on this side of the river.