Nehemiah 2:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 2:1-8

When Nehemiah had prayed for the relief of his countrymen, and perhaps in David's words (Ps. 51:18; Build thou the walls of Jerusalem), he did not sit still and say, ?Let God now do his own work, for I have no more to do,? but set himself to forecast what he could do towards it. Our prayers must be seconded with our serious endeavours, else we mock God. Nearly four months passed, from Chisleu to Nisan (from November to March), before Nehemiah made his application to the king for leave to go to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 2:4

Then the king said unto me, for what dost thou make request ?.... The king supposed that there was a meaning in those looks and words of his, that he had a favour to ask of him, and therefore encourages him to it; or the king of himself moved this, as being desirous of doing anything for him he would propose, to make him easy: so I prayed to the God of heaven ; secretly, in an ejaculatory way, giving him thanks for thus disposing the king's heart towards him, and entreating he might be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 2:4

So I prayed to the God of heaven - Before he dared to prefer his request to the king, he made his prayer to God, that his suit might be acceptable: and this he does by mental prayer. To the spirit of prayer every place is a praying place. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:1-8

Prayer answered. Three or four months bad passed since Nehemiah first heard of the distressed condition of his brethren at Jerusalem, and began to pray for them, and that he might be permitted to visit and relieve them. So long the answer to his prayer was delayed. But he doubtless continued to pray, and at length the answer came. Meanwhile, he would be able to ripen his plans, and prepare himself for his enterprise. Notice— I. THE OPPORTUNITY AT LENGTH AFFORDED HIM .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:1-8

Sadness. I. THAT IT WAS THE OUTCOME OF A TRUE PATRIOTISM ( Nehemiah 2:2 ). This sadness was not occasioned by temporal loss, by domestic bereavement, or by unfaithful friendship, but by the desolated condition of Jerusalem. The city was "waste." Many cities of our own country are laid waste by sin; the good man cannot be indifferent, he must sympathise with and help the work of moral restoration. If men are anxious about the walls, they ought to be much more so about the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:1-8

Gaining the cause. It was a time of great suspense, hardest of all things for human hearts to bear. The future of Jerusalem now hung on the building of the wall, and this depended on Nehemiah's personal interposition and upon Artaxerxes' pleasure. When great events depend on a single circumstance, issues deep and grave on the charge of a regiment, on the skill of a statesman, on the caprice of a king, we may well wait in anxiety. Nothing could be done now for Jerusalem, speaking humanly,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:1-8

These verses describe the circumstances in which Nehemiah obtained his commission as restorer of Jerusalem. They show that he was prospered, and that his prosperity was due to the blessing of God. We may notice— I. The REWARD OF FAITH IN THE ANSWER TO PRAYER . 1. The faith was tried by waiting . Opportunity must not be made by hasty, presumptuous attempts to command events, but by watching Providence. Nehemiah still prayed, and then on a certain day he could say, It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:4

Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? Artaxerxes understood that a complaint was contained in Nehemiah's speech, and that he must have a request to make. With gracious kindliness he facilitates its utterance. So I prayed to the God of heaven. Nehemiah was emphatically a man of prayer. In every danger, in every difficulty, still more at any crisis, prayer rose to his lips (see Nehemiah 4:4 , Nehemiah 4:9 ; Nehemiah 5:19 ; Nehemiah 6:9 , Nehemiah 6:14 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 2:4

Ejaculatory prayer. "So I prayed to the God of heaven." Nehemiah, saddened by the report he had received of the condition of the Jews who had returned to their land, had formed a purpose to visit them, that he might encourage them, and take the lead in fortifying the city, and putting affairs into a more hopeful condition. His doing so depended on the consent of the monarch whose cupbearer he was, and his obtaining a commission from him. Already he had prayed for success in his intended... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 2:4

I prayed to the God of heaven - Mentally and momentarily, before answering the king. read more

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