Neh. 6 Sanballat and Tobiah, sending to Nehemiah to meet them, intend to do him mischief, Neh. 6:1–2. Nehemiah’s answer, Neh. 6:3. They charge him with rebellion, Neh. 6:4–7. His answer to it, Neh. 6:8–9. Shemaiah’s false prophecies to discourage Nehemiah, Neh. 6:10. His reply, Neh. 6:11–14.

I had not set up the doors; not all of them. See Poole “Neh. 3:1–3”.

Let us meet together; to consult about the common service of our master the king of Persia, or to make a friendly accommodation. Ono; a city in the tribe of Benjamin; of which see Neh. 11:35, 1 Chron. 8:12.

I am doing a great work: he tells them one, but not the only, nor the principal, reason of his refusal, because his coming might cause the work to cease, not only by the neglect of it during his absence, but by his death, which they by this means might compass, though he thought it not fit to…

Thereby bidding open defiance to him, as before he had used secret practices; and intimating that he would do that by manifest force, which he had intended to do by sudden surprise.

Among the heathen; the neighbouring people, whom you proudly and disdainfully call heathens or Gentiles. Gashmu, called Geshem, Neh. 6:1; who affirmed it and would prove it. According to these words, i.e. according to these reports; or, that thou mayst justify and verify these rumours.

There is a king in Judah; we have now a king of our own nation, and are free from the bondage of a foreign yoke. Let us take counsel together, that we may impartially examine the matter, that either thy innocency may be cleared, and false accusations may be prevented; or if thou art guilty, the…

They all made us afraid, i.e. they endeavoured to do so, and actually did terrify some persons.

Shemaiah the son of Delaiah; probably one of the chief of the priests, 1 Chron. 24:26. Who was shut up in his chamber adjoining to the temple, upon pretence of singular devotion, sequestration from the world, and special acquaintance and much communion with God in his retirements, after the manner…

Should such a man as I flee; I the chief governor, upon whose presence, and counsel, and conduct the very life and being of the whole city and nation in a great measure depends; I who have professed such resolution, and courage, and confidence in God; I who have had such eminent experience of God’s…

I perceived; partly, by considering the sinful nature and pernicious consequence of this counsel; partly, by the suggestion of God’s Spirit, whose counsel and help I sought in this matter; and partly, by the event, which discovered that there was no such danger from the approach of the enemy as was…

That I should do so, and sin, by going into a place forbidden to me, and that in such a time and manner, and upon such an occasion; which would have been both sinful and shameful: See Poole “Neh. 6:11”.

The prophetess Noadiah; one that falsely pretended to the Spirit of prophecy, to deceive and destroy Nehemiah. He prays to God to remember and punish these false prophets, because he was not yet in a capacity to do it, having such powerful enemies round about him, and so many rich and potent Jews…

The month Elul; answering part to our August and part to September. In fifty and two days; to be computed, either, 1. From the time of Sanballat’s sending this letter to him; or, 2.

In their own eyes, i.e. in their opinion, or themselves being judges; for though ordinarily men are very prone to judge partially, and still to flatter themselves with vain hopes and fancies, yet this case was so clear and remarkable, that they began to despair.

Corresponding with him against Nehemiah, and against their own city and nation.

Sworn unto him, to be true to him in the prosecution of his wicked designs. His son had taken the daughter of Meshullam: this is noted to show the mischief of such unequal and forbidden marriages, and how reasonable and necessary Ezra’s action was in the dissolution of them.