Artaxerxes I

So the Jewish elders continued their work, and they were greatly encouraged by the preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, son of Edo.

The temple was finally finished, as had been commanded by the God of Israel, and decreed by Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, the kings of Persia.

The temple was completed on March 12th, during the sixth year of Darius' reign.

Zechariah chapter 7

How well that word sounds." The third day after we had drunk, as you must understand, Aidetus dismissed us.

We made him a present of a pretty little pergua knife, which he took more kindly than Artaxerxes did the cup of cold water that was given him by a clown.

He most courteously thanked us and sent all sorts of provisions aboard our ships, wished us a prosperous voyage and success in our undertakings, and made us promise and swear by Jupiter of stone to come back by his territories.

Finally, he said to us, "Friends, pray note that there are many more stones in the world than men.

Sixty-nine were fulfilled from the time of the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem to the coming of the Messiah, the Prince.

It took place 483 years after Artaxerxes gave the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, Jesus came.

Now, there is one seven-year period left for Israel in which God will be dealing with Israel.

And in the beginning of this seven-year period, God is going to send two witnesses.

This interval of time was little short of three thousand years.

But as to the time from the death of Moses till the reign of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, who reigned after Xerxes, the prophets who were after Moses wrote down what was done in their times in thirteen books.

The remaining four books contain hymns to God and precepts for the conduct of human life.

It is true our history hath been written since Artaxerxes very particularly, but hath not been esteemed of the like authority with the former by our forefathers, because there hath not been an exact succession of prophets since that time.

And how firmly we have given credit to these books of our own nation is evident by what we do.

For during so many ages as have already passed, no one has been so bold as either to add anything to them, to take anything from them, or to make any change in them.

They found, however, to their surprise, that Alexander was not interested in hearing about any of these things.

He would always turn the conversation from them to inquire about the geographical position of the different Persian countries, the various routes leading into the interior, the organization of the Asiatic armies, their system of military tactics, and especially the character and habits of Artaxerxes, the Persian king.

The ambassadors were very much surprised at such evidences of maturity of mind and of far-seeing and reflective powers on the part of the young prince.

They could not help comparing him with Artaxerxes.

"Alexander," said they, "is great, while our king is only rich." The truth of the judgment which these ambassadors thus formed in respect to the qualities of the young Macedonian, compared with those held in highest estimation on the Asiatic side, was fully confirmed in the subsequent stages of Alexander's career.

In fact, this combination of a calm and calculating thoughtfulness with the ardor and energy which formed the basis of his character was one great secret of Alexander's success.