Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezra 4:15

15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers : so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.

Political Fathers, i. e. thy Predecessors, the former Emperours of this Empire, namely in the Assyrian and Babylonish Records, which together with the Empire were now in the hands of the Persian Kings, to be searched or read, as the Kings pleasure was, or as the affairs of the Empire required.

Marginal references: Chal. made.; Chal. in the midst thereof.