Nehemiah 4:13-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 4:7-15

We have here, I. The conspiracy which the Jews? enemies formed against them, to stay the building by slaying the builders. The conspirators were not only Sanballat and Tobiah, but other neighbouring people whom they had drawn into the plot. They flattered themselves with a fancy that the work would soon stand still of itself; but, when they heard that it went on a prospered, they were angry at the Jews for being so hasty to push the work forward and angry at themselves for being so slow in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:13

Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall ,.... Where the wall was lowest, and the enemy could more easily break it down, or get over it: and on the higher places ; where the wall was higher; or rather on the towers upon the walls, as the word signifies the tops of rocks, which are dry and smooth, see Ezekiel 24:2 . I even set the people after their families ; according to their rank, number, strength, and valour: with their swords, their spears, and their bows ; with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:14

And I looked ,.... Took a view of the people, and observed that they were in their proper place, and sufficiently armed, and also whether the enemy was coming: and rose up and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people ; who were under their nobles and rulers, as their captains and commanders: be not ye afraid of them ; of their enemies, their numbers, and their threats: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible ; who is greater than they, and is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 4:14

Be not ye afraid of them - Are they more terrible or stronger than God? Fight for your brethren - Your own countrymen, who worship the same God, and are come from the same stock; your sons, whom they wish to slay or lead into captivity; your daughters and wives, whom they wish to deflower and defile; and your houses, which they wish to seize and occupy as their own. They had every thing at stake; and therefore they must fight pro aris et focis , for their religion,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-23

The work and warfare of the Church. I. The weak of the Church. 1. Derided. "And mocked the Jews" ( Nehemiah 4:1 ). 2. Under-estimated. "These feeble Jews" ( Nehemiah 4:2 ). 3. Misrepresented. "If a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall" ( Nehemiah 4:3 ). 4. Prayerful. "Hear, O our God" ( Nehemiah 4:4 ). 5. Hearty. "For the people had a mind to work" ( Nehemiah 4:6 ). 6. Advancing. "Heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-23

This description of the building of the wall of Jerusalem may be taken as representing the life of the Church militant. The chief points are these:— I. THE SPIRIT which pervades and actuates it. "The people had a mind to work." Activity, self-denial, fellowship, and fortitude. II. THE METHOD . Division and distribution of the work. Builders, fighters, burden-bearers. Some in command, others waiting upon their word. A place for every one in which to work, and every one keeping... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:7-15

Armed opposition. Ridicule failing and the work progressing, the enemies of the Jews, more angry than ever, conspire to stop it by force of arms. We have here— I. ENEMIES WITHOUT . 1. Various ( Nehemiah 4:7 ). 2. Combined ( Nehemiah 4:8 ). 3. Angry ( Nehemiah 4:7 ). 4. Wily ( Nehemiah 4:11 ). 5. Ruthless ( ibid. ) . 6. Determined to stop the work. II. DIFFICULTIES WITHIN . 1. The weariness and discouragement of the labourers ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:7-23

The wisdom of the Christian workman in the hour of peril. We are reminded here of— I. THE PROGRESS OF SIN IN ITS COURSE ( Nehemiah 4:8 ). From sneers the enemies of Israel passed on to plots; from taunts to a mischievous conspiracy. They "conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it." This advance of theirs was brought about by their hearing that the walls of Jerusalem were "made up." The steadfast labour of the good led, incidentally, to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:13

Then set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places. There is no and m the original. Nehemiah means that in the less elevated places, where the wall was least strong by nature, he had his men posted on conspicuous spots within the walls, where they could be seen from a distance, and so deterred the enemy from advancing. He drew them up after their families , that each man might feel he was fighting for his brethren, sons, etc. (verse 14). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:14

And I looked, and rose up, and said . A particular occasion seems to be spoken of. The allies had joined their forces; the army was advancing; Nehemiah had obtained information of the quarter from which the attack was to be expected; he had posted his men (verse 13); when he "looked, and rose up," and spoke, it was probably as the enemy was coming up to the attack; he then made this short but stirring appeal. That no conflict followed would seem to show, that "when the enemy approached,... read more

Group of Brands