Nehemiah 4:5 - Expostion

Cover not their iniquity , etc. Some of David's imprecations are very similar ( Psalms 109:7 , Psalms 109:14 , Psalms 109:15 , etc.), as also some of Jeremiah's ( Jeremiah 18:23 ). They have provoked thee to anger before the builders . It is not as if they had merely " thought scorn" of thee, or insulted thee before one or two. They have uttered their insult publicly, so that it is known to the whole body of the builders. Therefore they deserve not to be forgiven.