For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, “Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.”

Commentaries

5

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

AlbertBarnes

18th Century
Presbyterian
18th Century

What “enemy” menaced Ezra, and for what reason, is wholly uncertain . Perhaps robber-tribes, Arab or Syrian, were his opponents.

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

CharlesEllicott

19th Century
Anglican
19th Century

The journey through Ahava to Jerusalem.

John Gill

John Gill

JohnGill

17th Century
Reformed Baptist
17th Century

For I was ashamed to require of the king's band of soldiers
and horsemen
Which he might have had, only as…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

MatthewHenry

17th Century
Presbyterian
17th Century

Ezra procured Levites to go with him; but what will that avail, unless he has God with him? Those who seek God are safe under the shadow of his win…