John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said unto them ,.... Nehemiah the Tirshatha or governor: go your way ; to their own houses, and refresh themselves; it being noon, and they had stood many hours attentive to the reading and expounding of the law: eat the fat, and drink the sweet : not a common meal, but a feast, consisting of the richest provisions, the best of food and liquors and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared ; for the poor, who had no food at home provided for them; the widow,... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 8:9-12
We may here observe, I. How the people were wounded with the words of the law that were read to them. The law works death, and speaks terror, shows men their sins, and their misery and danger because of sin, and thunders a curse against every one that continues not in every part of his duty. Therefore when they heard it they all wept (Neh. 8:9): it was a good sign that their hearts were tender, like Josiah's when he heard the words of the law. They wept to think how they had offended God, and... read more