Ezra 4:19

19 And I gave orders for a search to be made, and it is certain that in the past this town has made trouble for kings, and that outbursts against authority have taken place there.

Ezra 4:19 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 4:19

And I commanded, and search hath been made
In the records of his predecessors, whether Chaldeans or Persians:

and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection
against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein:
and yet this could not be carried higher than to the times of Zedekiah and Jehoiakim, as before observed, which was not one hundred years ago, unless the rebellion of Hezekiah against the king of Assyria could be thought to be in these records, ( 2 Kings 18:7 ) , and yet from hence it is concluded as if in ages past they had been guilty of rebellion and sedition, and even always.

Ezra 4:19 In-Context

17 Then the king sent an answer to Rehum, the chief ruler, and Shimshai the scribe, and their friends living in Samaria, and to the rest of those across the river, saying, Peace to you:

18 And now the sense of the letter which you sent to us has been made clear to me,

19 And I gave orders for a search to be made, and it is certain that in the past this town has made trouble for kings, and that outbursts against authority have taken place there.

20 Further, there have been great kings in Jerusalem, ruling over all the country across the river, to whom they gave taxes and payments in goods and forced payments.

21 Give an order now, that these men are to do nothing more, and that the building of the town is to be stopped, till I give an order.