Nehemiah 2:19-4:23 NIV

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Nehemiah 2:1-20

Nehemiah 2:1-201And it came to pass in the month Nisanin the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the King that wine was before him: and I took up the wine and gave it unto the 2king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. Wherefore [and] the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, and said unto 3the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city,... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Nehemiah 2:12-20

Braving Ridicule and Treachery Nehemiah 2:12-20 ; Nehemiah 4:1-12 Suspicion , Nehemiah 2:12-20 . Sanballat was probably a Moabite, a native of Horonaim; Tobiah had been a slave. There are many descendants of these two men in all our Christian communities today, hindering God’s work. This heroic soul met their scorn and the depression of the people by unwavering faith and calm confidence in the good hand of God, Nehemiah 2:18 . How small do our difficulties seem when brought into the sight... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 2:1-20

Nehemiah's sadness could not wholly be hidden. He had not been habitually a sad man, as he himself declares; but the sorrow of his nation manifested itself as he stood before the king. It has been suggested that this was part of his plan. Such an interpretation strains the narrative, for Nehemiah confessed that when the king detected signs of mourning he was fled with fear. Yet through fear a splendid courage manifested itself as he told the king the cause of his grief, and boldly asked to be... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Nehemiah 2:1-20

Rebuilding the Wall Nehemiah 2:1-20 INTRODUCTORY WORDS As we study the Book of Nehemiah we learn the truth of that old saying, "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform." This was true in the matter of rebuilding the wall. Let us suggest seven steps that lead to the work. 1. Hanani's report. This we considered previously. It was because of the word of Hanani that Nehemiah was so deeply moved concerning the wall, and the state of his brethren in Jerusalem. Thus we see God's first... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 2:19-20

Opposition From Local Leaders In High Places (Nehemiah 2:19-20 ). The news that they were to commence building inevitably leaked out, for there were many collaborationists in Jerusalem who had opted to compromise with their neighbours and would gladly therefore win favour by passing on the information. The result was that it reached the ears of Sanballat the Horonite, who was probably even at that time either the acting Governor, or the duly appointed Governor, of the District of Samaria, a... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 2:9-20

Nehemiah 2:9-Proverbs : . Nehemiah Arrives in Jerusalem and Surveys the Walls. Nehemiah 2:9 . The account of the journey is omitted, interest being centred upon what Nehemiah was going to do in Jerusalem.— the governors beyond the river: namely of the provinces on the west of the Euphrates; as Nehemiah would almost certainly pass through Hamath and Damascus, the two most important cities in Syria, the governors here resident are probably intended.— the king . . . horsemen: cf. Nehemiah 4:16;... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Nehemiah 2:19

Geshem the Arabian; either the king’s lieutenant in Arabia, as Tobiah was among the Ammonites, and Sanballat among the Moabites; or rather, an Arabian by his birth. And it seems probable that both he, and Sanballat, and Tobiah were chief men or governors among the Samaritans, or in their army. See Nehemiah 4:1-3. Will ye rebel against the king? do you design to fortify the city against the king. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Nehemiah 2:1-20

EXPLANATORY NOTES.] Nehemiah 2:1. Nisan] Called Abib in Exodus 13:4, first month in Hebrew national year. Corresponds to parts of our March and April. Nehemiah 2:3. Let the king live for ever] (Heb. hammelek l’olam yihyeh.) (Comp. 1 Kings 1:31; Daniel 2:4; Daniel 6:6-21.) The mere formula of address, like our “God save the Queen.” Even Daniel used it without compunction. The place of my fathers’ sepulchres] The Persians regarded their burial-places as peculiarly sacred. Nehemiah 2:6. The queen... read more

C.I. Scofield

Scofield's Reference Notes - Nehemiah 2:19

laughed The obstacle of ridicule. read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 2:1-20

Chapter 2"You've never been sad in my presence before, what's wrong with you?" And so Nehemiah opened up his heart. Actually, the king had asked him a question and the king discerned. He said, "It's obviously a sorrow of heart. What's wrong?" And so Nehemiah answered:Let the king live for ever ( Nehemiah 2:3 ):And he told the king of the plight of his countrymen. Those that had gone back and of the news that he had received, and the heaviness of his heart because of the condition of Jerusalem,... read more