Nehemiah 2:11-3:32 ASV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Nehemiah 2:9-20

4. The return to Jerusalem 2:9-20Because of the opposition of the Jews’ neighbors, Artaxerxes sent a military escort to accompany Nehemiah to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:9). It is not certain how many Jews traveled with Nehemiah on this occasion. The writer gave us no numbers.Sanballat may have originated in Horonaim in Moab, but he seems more likely to have come from one of the Beth-horons (Upper or Lower) located just a few miles northwest of Jerusalem (cf. Joshua 10:10-11). [Note: H. H. Rowley,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 2:1-20

Nehemiah’s Resolve to rebuild JerusalemThis chapter gives an account of Nehemiah’s request for leave to rebuild Jerusalem, his arrival there, and his survey of the ruined walls, which it was decided to restore.1. Wine was before him] LXX has ’wine was before me,’ implying that it was Nehemiah’s turn to act as cup-bearer (the king having several). This would explain why Artaxerxes had not observed his servant’s sadness during the four months that had elapsed since the arrival of the news from... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Nehemiah 2:9-11

(9-11) His journey to Jerusalem, occupying some three months, and safe under good escort, is passed over in the narrative, as Ezra’s had been. It is mentioned, however, that Sanballat, one of the “governors,” was roused to hostility. After the laborious travelling Nehemiah rested three days, to review the past and prepare for the future. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Nehemiah 2:11

(11) Three days.—For rest and devotion, after the example of Ezra. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Nehemiah 2:1-20

Purpose in Life Nehemiah 2:12 Nehemiah was called to a great work, but he kept his own counsel and waited for the time to declare the purpose that lay in his heart like a glowing seed in good soil. I. The Secret of Strength; As you start out upon life's cross-roads be sure that your heart's purpose is prompted by the Lord. How can we tell whether the secret purpose hidden away in our heart's deepest desire is implanted by God? 1. Look at the purpose in your heart, the one thing which, if you... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 2:9-20

THE MIDNIGHT RIDENehemiah 2:9-20NEHEMIAH’S journey up to Jerusalem differed in many respects from Ezra’s great expedition, with a host of emigrants, rich stores, and all the accompaniments of a large caravan. Burdened with none of these encumbrances, the newly appointed governor would be able to travel in comparative ease. Yet while Ezra was "ashamed" to ask for a military escort to protect his defenceless multitude and the treasures which were only too likely to attract the vulture eyes of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

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

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 2:1-20

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

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 2:1-20

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

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Nehemiah 2:1-20

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