Neh. 2 Artaxerxes, understanding the cause of Nehemiah’s sadness, Neh. 2:1–5, sendeth him with letters to Jerusalem, Neh. 2:6–8. Nehemiah, to the grief of the enemies, cometh to Jerusalem, Neh. 2:9–11, and secretly by night vieweth the ruins of Jerusalem, Neh. 2:12–16.

In the month Nisan; which was four months after he had heard those sad tidings. The reason of this long silence and delay might be manifold; either because he thought fit that some time should be spent by himself, and possibly others of his brethren, in seeking God by solemn prayer and fasting, for…

Why is thy countenance sad? his fasting joined with inward grief had made a sensible change in his very countenance. I was very sore afraid; partly, being daunted by the majesty of the king, and the suddenness and sharpness of his question; partly, fearing lest there was arising some jealousy or…

Let the king live forever: my sadness comes not from any discontent with my own condition, or any disaffection to the king, for whom my hearty prayers are that he may live forever; but from another cause.

I prayed to the God of heaven, to direct my thoughts and words, and to incline the king’s heart to grant my request.

If it please the king: my request, whatsoever it is, I humbly and wholly submit it to the king’s good pleasure, being resolved to acquiesce in it. If thy servant have found favour in thy sight: I pretend no merit, but am a humble suppliant for thy grace and favour, whereof having received some…

The queen also sitting by him; which is here noted, partly as an unusual thing; for commonly the kings of Persia dined alone, and their queens seldom dined with them, as historians note; and peradventure because the queen expressed some kindness to him, and promoted his request with the king.

That they may safely conduct me through their several territories.

The king’s forest; the forest of Libanus, famous for pleasure, and for plenty of choice trees. Which appertained to the house, to wit, of the king’s palace, which was adjoining to the house of God.

Sanballat the Horonite; so called, either from his family, or from the place of his birth or rule, which is supposed to be Horonaim, an eminent city of Moab, Isa. 15:5, Jer. 48:3.

Resting myself after my long journey, and inquiring into the state of the city.

I arose in the night; concealing both his intentions and actions as far and as long as he could, as knowing that the life of his business lay in secrecy and expedition. Neither was there any beast with me, to prevent noise, and the notice of what I did.

I went out by night; the footmen which accompanied him directing and leading him in the way. his design was to go round about the city, to observe the compass and condition of the walls and gates, that he might make sufficient provisions for the work. By the gate of the valley; of which see Neh.

The gate of the fountain, i.e. which led to the fountain, to wit, of Siloah or Gibon. The king’s pool; that which king Hezekiah had made: of which see 2 Chron. 32:3, 2 Chron. 32:30. There was no place for the beast to pass; the way being obstructed with heaps of rubbish.

By the brook of Kidron; of which See Poole “2 Sam. 15:23”. And so returned; having gone round about the city.

Or, were to do, or should do, i.e. whom he intended to employ in the work here following, of building the walls.

Geshem the Arabian; either the king’s lieutenant in Arabia, as Tobiah was among the Ammonites, and Sanballat among the Moabites; or rather, an Arabian by his birth. And it seems probable that both he, and Sanballat, and Tobiah were chief men or governors among the Samaritans, or in their army.

Ye have no portion nor right; you have no authority over us, nor interest in our church, or state, or city, but are mere aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. We disown and detest that mongrel worship and religion which you have set up.