Overview
The Susanchites were inhabitants of Susa (or Susiana) who were resettled in Samaria by Assyrian kings during the exile period. They appear in the biblical record as adversaries who opposed the Jewish people's efforts to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem after their return from captivity. Their opposition demonstrates the hostility the returning Jews faced from neighboring peoples.
Key Scriptures
"The officials of the province Beyond the River sent a letter to King Artaxerxes. In it was written as follows: 'To the king Artaxerxes: Your servants, the officials of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city; they are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. Now be it known to the king that, if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired.'" (Ezra 4:11-13, ESV)
Application
Believers today can find encouragement knowing that opposition to God's work is not new, yet His purposes ultimately prevail through faithful obedience.