The Reigns Of The Persian Kings – Darius & Xerxes

Year B.C.	Monarch	Description of Events	Bible refs.	Herodotus refs.
521	Darius I	Overthrows the Magi plotters and other revolts. Inscription on Rock at Behistun records subjection of these by Darius.		3:90
520		Second year. Prophets Haggai & Zechariah speak on the rebuilding of the Temple (ref. these prophecies). Zerubbabel & Jeshua recommence work on House.	Ezra 4:24 5:2
		Letter from Governor to Darius, seeking confirmation of Cyrus’ decree. Search is made, record found at Ecbatana: king makes further decree of assistance. Governor aids work, prophets enthuse workers.	Ezra 5:6‑ 6:1‑ 12 6:13-14
515		House of God finished (King’s 6th yr, 3rd Adar)	6:15
		King mounts an invasion of Europe, attacking Scythians. This people had, in the last days of Assyrian Empire, invaded Media, and exercised supremacy over Medos for 28 yrs. At the same time, they had moved into Palestine at least as far as Askelon, and may have settled in Beth-Shan (Scythopolis)- ref. Ezek.38:4. They would on account of above be traditional enemies of Medo-Persians.		1:103 – 1:104
		Subdues Thrace and Thessaly, crosses Danube, but mobility-of mounted Scythians is too much for his troops, and he returns to Susa		4:145
		Revolt by Ionian Greek cities of Asia Minor, assisted by Athenians, who attack and burn Sardis.		5:101
490		Darius sends retaliatory forces to attack Athens & other Greek cities. After some successes, this force is defeated at MARATHON. Persians suffer 6400 casualties, Athenians 192 (shades of Hitler war?)		6:95 6:115
486		Dies. (Reigned 36 yrs.)		7:4
485	Xerxes	First yr. Overcomes rebellion in Egypt. States intention to enter Greece, avenge Marathon. Preparations require 4 yrs.		7:7 7:8 7:19
483		3rd yr. Huge banquet, at which he insults Vashti while in his cups. Her refusal to expose herself leads to her being deposed.
		Decree issued for gathering young women for king’s pleasure, with secondary view to selection of a consort. Esther among those affected.	Est.1:10‑ 2:1-4:8
481		5th yr. Greek expedition begins. Crosses Hellespont, moves south.		7:19
480		THERMOPYLAE. Spartans defeated. Athens taken.		7:222‑ 8:50
		Persian fleet defeated by Themistocles at SALAMIS. King returns to Asia by ship & land.		8:84- 8:114‑
479		Balance of Persian army on Greek soil defeated at Plataea.		9:62
		Seventh yr. of reign. Esther taken into royal house in 10th month.	Est.2:16
476		Tenth yr. Haman, through hatred of Mordecai, casts lots to determine auspicious day for destruction of Jews ‑ decree issued 13th Nisan that assault on Jews to take place on 13th Adar (12th mth)	Est.ch.3
		Esther’s plea before king.	5
		Mordecai honoured for earlier service.	6
		Banquet at which Esther accuses Haman, who is hanged.	7
		On 23rd. Sivan (3rd mth.) decree of king, granting Jews right of defence against enemies on 13th Ader. Jews successful in self-defence, 13th Adar. 14th Adar declared day of remembrance of Purim, the evil lot-taking of Haman.	8 9:1,2- 9:20,22
		In connection with the Jews in Jerusalem, one may read between the lines and make the assumption that Xerxes was too busy, and perhaps too proud and cruel, to be of any value to them. We may note that early in his reign the enemies of the Jews wrote to the king, but no reply or assistance was forthcoming.	Ezra 4:6
465		Dies. Reigned 21 years.

The notes below follow the chart on Jeremiah’s prophecy which ended in “The Bible Student” Vol.5 No.2. The notes were not to hand when the next issue was being prepared, and so we followed with the chart of Ezekiel’s prophecy.

Jeremiah (chs.40 – 52)

The charts trace (merely) the words and experiences of Jeremiah in the reigns of the three kings. But the prophet’s misfortunes do not cease with the taking of Jerusalem. Nebuzar-adan placed him in care of Gedaliah ­appointed chief minister and ruler over Judah – along with other important captives, princesses, their children and servants. Ref. ch.40, the Babylonian captain’s words to Jeremiah.

Gedaliah brought these to Mizpeh, where they were joined by many Jews who had fled to surrounding countries (40:11,12). They were also joined by the captains who had conducted war (guerillas?) against the invaders. Among these was Johanan, who warned Gedaliah that Ishmael, who was among them, was there to do the bidding of the Ammonite king, Baalis, and to slay Gedaliah.

This murder took place in the month Tisri (commemorated by Fast 3rd. day Tisri – Zech.7:5, 8:19). In 41:1 we see that Ishmael is of the seed royal, and possibly had a personal motive for his willingness to kill the Babylonians’ appointee.

After slaying a group of pilgrims, Ishmael departed for Ammon, but was prevented by Johanan, and escaped without his prisoners, who placed themselves under the protection of Johanan. For fear of reprisal by the Chaldeans, on account of the murder of the governor, they went to Bethlehem (Chimham) as a first step toward flight into Egypt.

Whilst at Chimham, Jeremiah is approached to obtain God’s guidance, and his reply is as it was before – that they should remain under the pro­tection of Babylon, and that to go to Egypt would be to court destruction (ch. 42). His advice is to no avail, and they go into Egypt. Tahapanhes is thought to be in the Delta, 27 miles S.S.W. of Port Said (ch.43, 2 Kings 25:26). Here Jeremiah prophesies of the invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar (it is thought that the “paving” (R.S.V.) of Pharoah’s house may be a fortress of Psammetichus excavated by Petrie – ref. Companion Bible, Appendix 87.) –

In ch.44, Jeremiah again attempts to reach the hearts of the refugees, with reminders of the fate that has befallen Jerusalem. The references to the “queen of heaven” (almost certainly Astarte) indicate the extent of the decline of worship, for undoubtedly the Temple in Jerusalem was being used for pagan ceremonies (see also Ezek.8). But these practices have too great a hold on them, and they declare their intention to continue them, so that Jeremiah is left with no alternative but to pronounce judgment upon them, giving as a sign the downfall of Hophra, which took place in 569 (Amasis taking the throne that year).

Beyond this, we have no information on Jeremiah, but we may visualize him bemoaning the low state to which he had been brought, a refugee amidst people who have rejected God, in that most despised of lands, Egypt.