Nehemiah 2:17-20

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 2:17

Then said I unto them ,.... The priests and princes of the Jews: you see the distress that we are in ; lie open to our enemies, and exposed to their insults: how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burnt with fire , Nehemiah 1:3 , come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem that we be no more a reproach ; to their neighbours about them, who scoffed at them as a defenceless people and frequently came in upon them, and spoiled and plundered them of their goods... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 2:18

Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me ..... Of the kind providence of God in exalting him in the court of the king of Persia, in giving him an opportunity of laying the sad case of Jerusalem before him, and in inclining his heart to show favour to him, and grant his request: as also the king's words that he had spoken to me ; what passed between them on this subject, the commission he gave him, and the letters he sent by him to his governors on this side the... 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 2:18

Then I told them - He opened to them his design and his commission. 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

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

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