And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel ... and the spirit of Joshua ... and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. God gave them alacrity and perseverance in the good work, though slothful in themselves. Every good impulse and revival of religion is the direct work of God by His Spirit.
And they came and did work - collected the wood and stones and other materials (cf. Haggai 1:8) for the work. Not actually built or "laid the (secondary) foundations" of the temple, because this laying of the secondary foundations was not done until three months after-namely, the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month (Haggai 2:18). (But see my remark there.) (Grotius.)