Nehemiah 2:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 2:2

Nehemiah 2:2. The king said, Why is thy countenance sad? His fasting, joined with inward grief, had made a sensible change in his countenance. Then I was sore afraid It was an unusual and ungracious thing to come into the king of Persia’s presence with any token of sorrow. And he feared a disappointment, because his request was great and invidious, and odious to most of the Persian courtiers. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 2:1-10

1:1-2:10 NEHEMIAH RETURNS TO JERUSALEMThirteen years had now passed since Artaxerxes issued his decree giving Ezra authority to go to Jerusalem and reform Israel (Ezra 7:7; Nehemiah 2:1). Ezra’s work had some early success, but when the Jews tried to strengthen Jerusalem’s defences by rebuilding the city wall, their enemies accused them of planning to rebel against Persia. They reported the matter to Artaxerxes, with the result that the king issued a decree commanding that the work stop... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Nehemiah 2:2

sorrow of heart. See Proverbs 15:13 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 2:2

2-5. the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad?—It was deemed highly unbecoming to appear in the royal presence with any weeds or signs of sorrow ( :-); and hence it was no wonder that the king was struck with the dejected air of his cupbearer, while that attendant, on his part, felt his agitation increased by his deep anxiety about the issue of the conversation so abruptly begun. But the piety and intense earnestness of the man immediately restored [Nehemiah] to calm self-possession... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Nehemiah 2:1-8

3. The request of Nehemiah 2:1-8Nehemiah prayed for four months about conditions in Jerusalem before he spoke to Artaxerxes about them (cf. Nehemiah 1:1; Nehemiah 2:1). Artaxerxes’ reign began in the seventh Jewish month, Tishri (late September and early October), of 464 B.C. [Note: Edwin R. Thiele, The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings, pp. 28-30, 161.] Therefore Nehemiah presented his request in late March or early April of 444 B.C.Nehemiah was probably very fearful (Nehemiah 2:2)... 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 2:1-8

II.(1-8) Nehemiah’s appeal to the king. read more

Charles John Ellicott

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

(2) Then I was very sore afraid.—Waiting on Providence, Nehemiah had discharged his duties for three months without being sad in the king’s presence; but on this day his sorrow could not be repressed. His fear sprang from the king’s abrupt inquiry. A sad countenance was never tolerated in the royal presence; and, though Artaxerxes was of a milder character than any other Persian monarch, the tone of his question showed that in this respect he was not an exception. 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 2:1-8

THE PRAYER ANSWEREDNehemiah 2:1-8NEHEMIAH’S prayer had commenced on celestial heights of meditation among thoughts of Divine grace and glory, and when it had stooped to earth it had swept over the wide course of his nation’s history and poured out a confession of the whole people’s sin, but the final point of it was a definite request for the prospering of his contemplated interview with the king. Artaxerxes was an absolute despot, surrounded with the semi-divine honours that Orientals... read more

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