Nehemiah 2:5-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:1-8

Gaining the cause. It was a time of great suspense, hardest of all things for human hearts to bear. The future of Jerusalem now hung on the building of the wall, and this depended on Nehemiah's personal interposition and upon Artaxerxes' pleasure. When great events depend on a single circumstance, issues deep and grave on the charge of a regiment, on the skill of a statesman, on the caprice of a king, we may well wait in anxiety. Nothing could be done now for Jerusalem, speaking humanly,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:1-8

These verses describe the circumstances in which Nehemiah obtained his commission as restorer of Jerusalem. They show that he was prospered, and that his prosperity was due to the blessing of God. We may notice— I. The REWARD OF FAITH IN THE ANSWER TO PRAYER . 1. The faith was tried by waiting . Opportunity must not be made by hasty, presumptuous attempts to command events, but by watching Providence. Nehemiah still prayed, and then on a certain day he could say, It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:6

The queen . It appears from Ctesias ('Exc. Pers.,' § 44) that Artaxerxes Longimanus had but one legitimate wife—a certain Damaspia. Nothing more is known of her besides this mention, and the fact that she died on the same day as her husband. Sitting by him . Not an unusual circumstance. Though, when the monarch entertained guests, the queen remained in her private apartments ( Esther 1:9-12 ), yet on other occasions she frequently took her meals with him. I set him a time . Nehemiah... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:7

Let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river . It is not quite clear why no letters were needed to the governors between Susa and the Euphrates. Perhaps, while travelling was safe, at any rate with an escort, in the more central provinces, beyond the river it became unsafe (see Ezra 8:31 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:8

The king's forest . Patrick supposes the forest on Mount Lebanon to be intended; but Nehemiah would scarcely have desired to transport timber for ordinary building purposes from such a distance. Moreover, the word used is one not applicable to a natural forest, but only to a park, or pleasure-ground planted with trees, and surrounded by a fence or wall. The word is pardes, the Hebrew representative of that Persian term which the Greeks rendered by παράδεισος , whence our "paradise."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:8

Success ascribed to God. "And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me." Nehemiah, like Ezra before him ( Ezra 7:6 ), ascribes the success of his application to the king to the " good hand of God;" which had, indeed, been conspicuous. The circumstances which had paved the way for the presentation of his petition, the readiness of the king's consent to his requests, the largeness of the facilities granted him, all indicated that his God, whose aid he had sought,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 2:6

The queen - Though the Persian kings practiced polygamy, they always had one chief wife, who alone was recognized as “queen.” The chief wife of Longimanus was Damaspia.I set him a time - Nehemiah appears to have stayed at Jerusalem twelve years from his first arrival Nehemiah 5:14; but he can scarcely have mentioned so long a term to the king. Probably his leave of absence was prolonged from time to time. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 2:8

The king’s forest - Rather, park. The word used פרדס pardês; compare παράδεισος paradeisos, found only here, in Ecclesiastes 2:5, and in Song of Solomon 4:13), is of Persian, or at any rate of Aryan origin. The Persians signified by pariyadeza a walled enclosure, ornamented with trees, either planted or of natural growth, and containing numerous wild animals. The “paradise” here mentioned must have been in the neighborhood of Jerusalem, and may have corresponded to the earlier “gardens of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 2:5

Nehemiah 2:5. I said, If it please the king, &c. My request, whatever it is, I humbly and wholly submit to the king’s good pleasure, in which I am resolved to acquiesce. If thy servant have found favour in thy sight I plead no merit, but humbly supplicate thy grace and favour, of which, having received some tokens, I am imboldened to make this farther request. That thou wouldst send me unto Judah, &c. Wouldst give me a commission to go and build the walls of Jerusalem, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 2:6

Nehemiah 2:6. The queen also sitting by him Which is here noted as an unusual thing, for commonly the kings of Persia dined alone; and perhaps because the queen expressed some kindness to him, and promoted his request. How long shall thy journey be? This question showed the king’s affection for him, and that he was not willing to want his attendance longer than was necessary. So it pleased the king to send me Having told the king how long he desired to be absent from his office, the... read more

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