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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 2:10

When Sanballat the Horonite ,.... Who either presided at Horonaim, or sprung from thence, a city of Moab, Isaiah 15:5 and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite ; who was formerly a slave, but now raised, from a low mean estate, to be governor in the land of Ammon, though still a vassal of the king of Persia: heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there came a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel ; to which the Moabites and Ammonites were always averse, and ever bore... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 2:10

Sanballat the Horonite - Probably a native of Horonaim, a Moabite by birth, and at this time governor of the Samaritans under the king of Persia. Tobiah the servant - He was an Ammonite; and here, under the Persian king, joint governor with Sanballat. Some suppose that the Sanballat here mentioned was the same who persuaded Alexander to build a temple on Mount Gerizim in favor of the Samaritans. Pelagius thinks there were two governors of this name. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:9-11

Ungodly (unchristian) jealousy. Nehemiah, attended by a Persian escort, came safely to Jerusalem. The king had dealt liberally with him; he provided him with a military guard to protect him from the dangers of the road, and with letters of instruction to use at his journey's end (verse 9). But the prophet soon found—what we all find soon enough—that the work we attempt for God can only be accomplished by triumphing over difficulty. The path of holy service lies over many a scorching plain,... 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

Sanballat . According to Josephus, Sanballat was "satrap of Samaria" under the Persians, and by descent a Cuthaean ('Ant. Jud.,' Nehemiah 11:7 , § 2). He was probably included among the governors to whom Nehemiah had brought letters, and learnt the fact that "a man was come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel" by the delivery of the letters to him. The Horonite , Born, i.e; at one of the two Beth-horons, the upper or the lower, mentioned in Joshua ( Joshua 16:3 , Joshua... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:10

Seeking the welfare of the Church. "There was a man come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel." Thus, with some contempt, Sanballat and Tobiah thought and spoke of the coming of Nehemiah to Palestine. But if meant as a scoff, it may be accepted as a eulogium: like" a friend of publicans and sinners." Nehemiah is correctly described in the words. They set before us conduct to be imitated by citizens and statesmen in respect to the general community, by Christians in respect to the... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 2:10

The name Sanballat is probably Babylonian the first element being the same which commences “Sennacherib,” namely, “Sin,” the moon-God, and the second balatu, “eminent” (?),which is found in the Assyrian name, Bel-balatu. As a Horonite, he was probably a native of one of the Bethhorons, the upper or the lower (see Joshua 16:3, Joshua 16:5; 2 Chronicles 8:5), and therefore born within the limits of the old kingdom of Samaria. Tobiah seems to have been an Ammonite slave, high in the favor of... read more

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