And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. According to the commandment of the God of Israel - He first gave the order, and stirred up the hearts of the following Persian kings to second that order.
Of Cyrus - This sovereign gave his orders for the rebuilding of the temple about A.M. 3468.
And Darius - Darius Hystaspes confirmed the above orders, A. M. 3485.
And Artaxerxes - Artaxerxes Longimanus sent Ezra to Judea with new privileges, A.M. 3547. With the permission of the same king, Nehemiah came to Judea in 3550. The writer recapitulates the different sovereigns who favored the Jews after the Babylonish captivity. See Calmet.