The Decree of Artaxerxes
Artaxerxes replies that the letter has been read and investigated, confirms Jerusalem's rebellious past, and orders the rebuilding stopped to protect royal interests until he gives further instruction.
T17hen the king sent this reply: 18The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence. 19I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition. 20And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them. 21Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. 22See that you do not neglect this matter. Why allow this threat to increase and the royal interests to suffer?
Once the decree is read, Rehum, Shimshai, and their associates go to Jerusalem and stop the Jews by force. The work on the house of God then remains suspended until Darius's second year.
23When the text of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them. 24Thus the construction of the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.