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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 2:9-20

We are here told, I. Now Nehemiah was dismissed by the court he was sent from. The king appointed captains of the army and horsemen to go with him (Neh. 2:9), both for his guard and to show that he was a man whom the king did delight to honour, that all the king's servants might respect him accordingly. Those whom the King of kings sends he thus protects, he thus dignifies with a host of angels to attend them. II. How he was received by the country he was sent to. 1. By the Jews and their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 2:19

But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian ,.... This third man might be both an Arabian by birth, and governor of some part of Arabia near Judea: heard it ; of their beginning to build: they laughed us to scorn, and despised us ; as very silly people, that undertook what they could never perform: and said ; adding threatenings to their scoffs: what is this thing that ye do ? do ye know what ye are about? have ye any... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 2:20

Then answered I them, and said unto them ,.... With much spirit and boldness, not at all intimidated by their scoffs or threats: the God of heaven, he will prosper us ; whom we serve, and under whose protection we are, who will supply us with everything we want, and succeed this undertaking, in whose name we engage in it, and on whom we depend, and we care not what man can do to us: therefore we his servants will arise and build ; in spite of all opposition, difficulties, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 2:19

Geshem the Arabian - Some chief of the Arabs contiguous to Samaria, who had joined with Sanballat and Tobiah to distress the Jews, and hinder their work. Will ye rebel against the king ? - This they said in order to raise jealousies in the king's mind, and induce him to recall his ordinance. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 2:20

Ye have no portion , nor right - To be a citizen of Jerusalem was a high honor; and they would not permit those who did not belong to the tribes of Israel to dwell there. Zerubbabel gave the same answer to the Samaritans, Ezra 4:3 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:9-20

Preparation for a great work. A record of the first steps taken by Nehemiah in the execution of his commission. I. HIS JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM (verses 9, 11). He no doubt lost no time in setting out; and he made the journey with suitable dignity, and in safety, owing to the escort granted by the king, and the obedience of the "governors beyond the river" to "the king's letters." II. HIS PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION (verses 12-15). This was— 1. Personal. He would see... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:10-20

True work Divinely succeeded. Here is the enterprise briefly sketched out: the ruin to be built up; the surrounding sea of scorn, hatred, and opposition to be kept back; the co-operation of rulers and people to be maintained. One man evidently to be the life and soul of the whole work. "I told not a man what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem." I. All truly religious work should be accomplished in the spirit of UNCOMPROMISING FAITHFULNESS . 1. Complete independence... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:11-20

Wise procedure in presence of a great work. Nehemiah before Jerusalem, the earnest patriot prophet before the city of God, lying waste and exposed, suggests to us— I. THE PRESENCE OF A GREAT WORK AWAITING US . "So I came to Jerusalem" (verse 11). There are to-day many Churches, societies, interests, more or less dear to God, which are "in distress" (verse 17), urgently needing restoration and defence, that they be not open to attack, and that they may" be no more a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:12-20

The way to view and repair ruined fortunes. I. The way to VIEW ruined fortunes. "And viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down" ( Nehemiah 2:13 ). There are broken fortunes in the Church, in business, and in the home; let us see how we are to regard them. 1. Thoughtfully. Nehemiah made a careful inspection of the ruined city. 2. Religiously. "What God hath put in my heart to do at Jerusalem" (verse 12). 3. Conscientiously. "Which were broken down, and the... read more

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