Why did Esdras fast rather than ask the king for military help?

During the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Esdras led an expedition of family heads and registered males from Babylon to Jerusalem. The priestly and royal leaders included Gersom of the line of Phinees, Daniel of Ithamar, and Hattus of the royal house of David. Among the ancestral families, Zacharias led 150 men of the house of Pharos through Sechenias. Eleoenai son of Zareha led 200 men of Phahath Moab, Sechenias son of Ezechiel led 300 men, Abed son of Jonathan led 50 men of Adan, and Isaias son of Athalias led 70 men of Alam. Zebodia son of Michael led 80 men of Saphatia, Obedia son of Jahiel led 218 men of Joab, and the son of Josphia led 160 men through Selomith. Zacharias son of Bebai brought 28 men, Joanan son of Eccetan led 110 men of Azgad, and the final group of Adonicam comprised 60 men under Eliphelet, Jehiel, and Samaias. Finally, Uthai and Zachur led 70 men of the family of Begui.

Esdras assembled the entire company beside the river flowing toward Ahava, where they encamped for three days. While reviewing the people and priests, Esdras discovered that no Levites were found among the people and priests he examined. To resolve this critical absence, he dispatched nine prominent leaders—Eliezer, Ariel, Semeias, Elnathan, Jarib, another Elnathan, Nathan, Zacharias, and Mosollam—together with two wise men, Joiarib and Elnathan. He instructed them to travel to Chasphia and appeal to Eddo, the leader of that settlement, and his fellow Nathinites to send qualified ministers for the house of God. By God's gracious help, they recruited a man of understanding from the descendants of Moholi son of Levi, alongside Sarabias with eighteen sons and brothers, Hasabias with Isaias of the line of Merari and twenty relatives, and 220 Nathinites whom David and the princes had appointed to assist the Levites, all registered individually by name.

Before departing, Esdras proclaimed a public fast beside the river Ahava so the company could humble themselves before God and petition Him for safe passage for themselves, their children, and their belongings. An editorial note in the Challoner edition reflects that departing from Babylon figuratively signifies leaving sin, which requires works of penance such as the extraordinary fast proclaimed here. The note also says fasting was commanded and practiced from the earliest times. Esdras was ashamed to ask King Artaxerxes for an escort of royal troops and horsemen to protect them from road ambushes, because he had previously assured the king that God's gracious hand defends everyone who seeks Him while His power opposes those who abandon Him. The people fasted and pleaded with God for protection, and their petition was answered favorably.

Esdras then designated twelve leading priests—including Sarabias and Hasabias, alongside ten of their brethren—to guard the consecrated treasures donated for the temple by Artaxerxes, his royal counselors, Persian nobles, and the people of Israel. He carefully weighed out to them 650 talents of silver, 100 vessels of silver, 100 talents of gold, 20 gold cups valued at 1,000 solids, and two vessels of finest shining brass as beautiful as gold. Esdras charged these custodians solemnly, reminding them that they and the vessels were consecrated to the Lord, and commanded them to guard the wealth until delivering it by weight to the chief priests, Levites, and family heads in Jerusalem's temple treasury. The priests and Levites accepted custody of the weighed metal and vessels to transport them to the house of God.

On the twelfth day of the first month, the caravan set out from the river Ahava for Jerusalem. God's hand protected the travelers throughout the overland march, delivering them from enemies who lay in wait along the route. Upon reaching Jerusalem, the travelers rested for three days. On the fourth day, the silver, gold, and sacred vessels were weighed in the house of God by Meremoth son of Urias the priest, accompanied by Eleazar son of Phinees and the Levites Jozabad son of Josue and Noadaia son of Benoi. The items were counted and weighed, and all the weights were recorded.

The returned exiles then offered holocaust sacrifices to the God of Israel, presenting twelve young bulls for all the tribes of Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve male goats for a sin offering. Following the sacrifices, they delivered King Artaxerxes's royal decrees to the imperial governors and magistrates administering the province beyond the river, who supported the people and the house of God.