2:18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they {g} strengthened their hands for [this] good [work].(g) They were encouraged and gave themselves to do well, and to travel in this worthy enterprise. read more
This exercise of Nehemiah continued for four months following the information he received, and finally came to a head in the month Nisan (corresponding to March or April), when Nehemiah was serving wine to the king and the king observed that his face was sad (v. 1). When the king asked him why he was sad, he became dreadfully afraid, for one to appear to be sad in the presence of the king might be considered a mortal offense, and a proud king may have condemned to death such a person. ... read more
BUILDING THE WALLS PRAYER AND ITS ANSWER (Nehemiah 1-2:8) In this book it is to be kept in mind that the previous commissions to Zembbabel and Ezra concerned only the repair of the temple at Jerusalem, and certain internal arrangements for the moral and material well-being of the people in their home towns. The walls and gates of the city, however, were still in the ruined condition in which they were left by Nebuchadnezzar after the siege. The consequences were detrimental to the people’s... read more
Nehemiah 2:0 "And it came to pass in the month Nisan [the name given by the Persian Jews to the month previously called "Abib," the first month of the Jewish year, or that which followed the vernal equinox. It fell four months after Chisleu (see ch. Neh 1:1 )], in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes [it is generally agreed that the Artaxerxes intended is Longimanus, who reigned from b.c. 465 to b.c. 425] the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king" ( Neh... read more
(11) So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. (12) And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon. (13) And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. (14) Then I went on to the... read more
Hand. God had manifested his goodness and power, at the court of Persia. (Worthington) read more
9-18 When Nehemiah had considered the matter, he told the Jews that God had put it into his heart to build the wall of Jerusalem. He does not undertake to do it without them. By stirring up ourselves and one another to that which is good, we strengthen ourselves and one another for it. We are weak in our duty, when we are cold and careless. read more
Nehemiah 2 THE KING'S CUP-BEARER of those days had to be a man of integrity, who would see that nothing undesirable or poisonous was inserted into the King's wine. The tidings he had just received had so affected him that his sorrow was seen in his face. Noticing it, the king was of course suspicious and enquired what moved him to sorrow; as we see in the opening verses of chapter 2. A position was thus created that had definite danger in it, and Nehemiah was 'very sore afraid'. However, he... read more
Nehemiah Arrives at Jerusalem v. 9. Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now, the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me, not only on account of his rank as cupbearer of the king, but also as deputy governor of Judea, which he was on this trip. v. 10. When Sanballat the Horonite, apparently a Moabite, and Tobiah, the servant, the Ammonite, a freedman raised to some official dignity, assistant to the former, who seems to have been... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Nehemiah 2:1-20
CHAPTER 2 1. The King’s question (Nehemiah 2:1-2 ) 2. The King’s permission (Nehemiah 2:3-8 ) 3. The arrival in Jerusalem and the night-ride (Nehemiah 2:9-16 ) 4. The resolution to build the wall (Nehemiah 2:17-18 ) 5. The ridicule of the enemy, and Nehemiah’s answer (Nehemiah 2:19-20 ) Nehemiah 2:1-2 . The last sentence of the previous chapter, “For I was the king’s cupbearer,” belongs to this chapter. Nehemiah is seen exercising the functions of the King’s cupbearer to minister to... read more