Nehemiah 2:20 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:20

Assurance of Divine co-operation. "The God of heaven, he will prosper us," etc. Nehemiah's reply to opponents who wished to deter him from the work he was undertaking. I. WHEN WE MAY CHERISH THE ASSURANCE OF DIVINE AID AND BLESSING IN OUR ENDEAVOURS . In general when our endeavours are in accordance with the will of God—in the line of his plans and purposes. And this is the case when— 1. The work is good. 2. The Divine call to it is clear. This is... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 2:19-20

Nehemiah 2:19-20. When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, &c. These three seem to have been chief men among the Samaritans, and perhaps were invested with some offices or authority by the king of Persia. You have no portion nor right Do not trouble yourselves about this matter, who have no possession among us, no authority over us, nor interest in our church or state; nor memorial in Jerusalem No testimony or monument either of your relation to us by birth or religion, or of your... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 2:11-20

2:11-7:73 REBUILDING THE CITY WALLThe plan of work followed (2:11-3:32)Rebuilding the broken-down wall was going to mean much hard work. In fact, the task was so huge that some may have said it could not be done. Therefore, before announcing his plans, Nehemiah made a secret survey himself so that he would know exactly how much work was to be done and the amount of materials that would be required (11-16). This first-hand knowledge, together with his account of how God had guided all the events... read more

Thomas Constable

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 2:20

(20) He will prosper us.—The reply is a defiance in the name of the God of heaven. The closing words imply that, as in the days of Zerubbabel, the Samaritan enemies desired really to have their share in the undertaking. Nehemiah makes Zerubbabel’s answer, but strengthens it; they had nothing in common with Jerusalem, not even a place in its memorials, save one of shame. 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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Nehemiah 2:20

2:20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor {k} memorial, in Jerusalem.(k) Neither are you of the number of the children of God(to whom he has appointed this city only) neither did any of your predecessors ever fear God. read more