| Ezra 4:5 | The people of the land hired counselors to work against the Israelites from the reigns of Cyrus (539–530 B.C.) to Darius (522–486) |
| Ezra 4:6 | Accusations arose during the reign of Xerxes (Ahasuerus) (486–464) |
| Ezra 4:7–23 | Accusations arose during the reign of Artaxerxes (464–423): |
| • First threat: they will withhold money (v. 13) |
| • Second threat: the king is dishonored (v. 14) |
| • Third threat: they have rebelled before (v. 15) |
| • Fourth threat: they will take over the whole area (v. 16) |
| Ezra 4:24–6:12 | Work on the temple stopped from 536–520; Darius finally gives order to rebuild it |