Rise Up and Build!
Nehemiah 4:4-10
BACKGROUND NOTES:
The first king mentioned in Ezra is Cyrus (559-529 B. C.; 15 times). The Jews had been exiles in Babylon since 598-586 B. C. But Cyrus allowed them to return.
Cambyses – 530-522 B. C.
Darius I – 522-486 B. C.
“Ahasuerus” is another name for King Xerxes (485-465 B. C.).
Darius II – 424-404 B. C.
Artaxerxes II – 404-358 B. C.
Darius III – 336-330 B. C.
“Osnappar” (ver. 10) is another name for Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria (668-627 B. C.).
Memorize 4:4-5. If you don’t memorize the text, read it every day this week.
ADULTS:
How did the enemies of Israel impact the Israelites? What discourages you, as a Christian? What frightens you, as a Christian?
What did the enemies do to Israel? How long did this effort last?
Give another name for King Ahasuerus: Which book in the Bible happened during his reign?
TEENS:
During this king’s reign, what did the enemies do?
When these men wrote a second letter, in what language was it written?
What had King Osnappar done to Samaria?
YOUTH:
Give the men who composed the letter:
Who else did these men get “on their side” to stop Israel from building God’s temple?
Give another name for King “Osnappar” (ver. 10):
Draw a picture of these men writing a letter to the king.
Paul Holland and family
