Matthew Poole and continuators on Haggai 1:15

15 In the four and twentieth day of the sixth moneth, in the second year of Darius the king.

It appeareth then that Zerubbabel and Ioshua with the people, did resolve on the matter quickly; for in three weeks, and three dayes, they are at the work, as is evident chap. 1. verse 1. on the first day Haggai preacht, on the twenty fourth day of the Moneth the people are at work, verse 15.

Vid. verse 1. let. a. Now this Darius was not Darius Nothus, but Darius Hystas[illegible: 1 letter]is, as will appear by considering well the following Scheme of years, from the Captivity to the particular years of each of these two Darius's. Suppose we therefore the computation of these years, according to either of these Schemes, it will appear that there is no likelihood this Darius in the Text should be Darius Nothus. Captivity either 3350 Temple burnt 3360 Cyrus's Decree 3420 Darius's Decree Noth. 3529. Helv. Captivity either 3398 Temple burnt 3416 Cyrus's Decree 3468 Darius's Decree Hyst. 3485. Vsh. This latter account begins the Captivity at the fourth year of I[illegible: 1 letter]hoiakim, the former begins it at the first of I[illegible: 1 letter]conia[illegible: 1 letter]s Reign as Ez[illegible: 1 letter]kiel also doth, chap. 1.2. and 40.1. Hence that difference which is in the account of the years between the beginning of the Captivity, and the burning of the Temple; the former account makes it eleven years, the latter makes it eighteen, for it begins seven years sooner. In what follows, we shall find both agreeing well enough to clear the unlikelihood of Darius Nothus being the King intended here. Both Accounts make the Captivity to end in the seventieth year according to the Scripture. But now the former account makes it one hundred and nine years between Cyr[illegible: 1 letter]s his Decree, and Darius his Decree; all which time the Temple by this account lay desolate, without a Prophet to stir them up to their Duty of building the Temple. Now is this probable? can it be reasonably suppos'd that the Temple should so long lie waste after they were sent out of Babylon purposely to build it? Or that they should be so long in that condition without a Prophet? But now the latter account reckons seventeen years between Cyrus and Darius his Decree for Building the Temple, a space of time easily conceived likely to pass while the Iewes did not build; nay were forbidden by Cambyses (in Scripture called Artaxerxes) Vice-Roy to his Father Cyrus (engaged in forreign Wars) all the time Cyrus lived after he gave out the Decree, which some make more, some less, but who make the likeliest guess for ought I know, make it five years; whether Cyrus taken up with these Wars, did know of this Prohibition, or thought not good to take it off till he return'd Conquerour, I know not; but he died and left this Bar on the work, which continued all Cambyses his Reign, and unto the second year of his Succes[illegible: 1 letter]or Darius Hy[illegible: 2 letters]a[illegible: 1 letter]pis. Now if this were seventeen, the most, some say but fifteen, others but twelve years, it is very probable, whereas One Hundred and Nine years is utterly improbable. Besides this, let us view what age those many or few were of, by these different accounts, who lived to see the Temple re-edified. If in Dari[illegible: 1 letter]s Nothus's time they could be no less than 185 allowing them to be sixteen at the burning of the Temple thus, sixteen when the Temple was burnt, thence sixty to Cyrus's Decree, and thence 109 to Darius Nothus his Decree. But by the latter account their Age amounts but to ninety five years, which appears thus; sixteen at the time the Temple was burnt, thence sixty to Cyrus his Decree, thence seventeen to Darius Hystasp[illegible: 1 letter]s his Decree; in all ninety five, which though a great Age, yet not improbable. at that time, though the other (185) be improbable. Besides how few through 169 years can distinctly remember what they saw and took notice of at sixteen, or could make that judgment of the disproportion between the two Temples? chap. 2 4. Or can it be supposed that Zechariah, chap. 1.12. would have accounted but seventy years desolation, when he might have more than doubled the years, and have reckon'd 169 years? would not the argument thus have been more moving?