Neh. 9 The solemn fast and repentance of the people, Neh. 9:1–2; and the manner of it, Neh. 9:3. The Levites confess and bless God for his goodness to them and their fathers, Neh. 9:4–8, in Egypt, Neh. 9:9–10; in their journey out of it, Neh. 9:11–12; upon Mount Sinai, Neh.

In the twenty and fourth day of this month; the next day but one after the feast of tabernacles, which begun on the 14th day, and ended on the 22nd day, Lev.

From all strangers; from all familiar and unnecessary society with the heathens, and particularly from those strange women whom some of them had married.

Read in the book of the law; so as they did before, giving them the sense of what they read; of which See Poole “Neh. 8:7”, See Poole “Neh. 8:8”. One fourth part of the day, to wit, for three hours; for there were accounted twelve hours in their day, John 11:9.

Upon the stairs, of the Levites, or, upon the scaffold, &c., i.e. upon such stairs, or rather scaffolds, or pulpits, as the Levites used to stand upon when they taught the people.

Then the Levites said all the following words. Either therefore they all used the same words, being composed and agreed upon by Ezra and themselves; or they all prayed in the same manner, and to the same purpose, having agreed among themselves concerning the matter of their confessions and prayers.

The host of heaven; either, 1. The stars, which after their manner worship and praise God, as all the creatures do after their manner, of which see Ps. 148:0; or rather, 2. The angels, who are so called, as 1 Kings 22:19, Luke 2:13, who do worship God truly and properly.

Didst choose Abram out of the midst of all his nation and family. When thou didst pass by and neglect the rest of them, suffering them to walk on in their idolatrous and destructive courses; thou didst choose and single out him to serve and glorify thee, to be father of all the faithful, the…

Foundest his heart faithful before thee; when thou madest that admirable trial of his faith and obedience, in requiring him to offer up his only son Isaac, thou didst find out and discover his faithfulness, which was well known to thee before, and also was wrought in him by thy grace.

They dealt proudly against them; treating thy people with great scorn and contempt, like slaves and beasts.

Into the mighty waters, i.e. the deep waters, such as these were, into which, when a stone is thrown, there is no hopes of seeing it again.

True laws; not such laws as some of the heathen laws were, which taught them falsehood, superstition, idolatry, and other errors; but such as discover the truth, and the true mind and will of God, and the true and only way to life.

Thy holy sabbath; that holy and blessed sabbath day which thou didst bless and sanctify to Adam in Paradise, Gen. 2:3, commanding him, and in him all his posterity, to observe it, which yet almost all people and nations have quite forgotten, yea, so far as to mock at them, Lam.

Notwithstanding all these singular and wonderful mercies; which he hitherto recounted to aggravate their sins, which he now comes to confess, and to lead them to a sincere and ingenuous grief and repentance for their sins, not only for the mischief which they brought upon themselves, but for the…

Refused to obey; persisted in their disobedience after many admonitions, and invitations to repentance. Appointed a captain, i.e. designed, purposed, and resolved to do so, Num. 14:4, and therefore they are said to do so, as Abraham is said to have offered up Isaac, Heb.

Thou forsookest them not in the wilderness; where, if thou hadst left them without thy conduct and comfort, they had been utterly lost and undone.

Thou gavest also thy good spirit; which thou didst graciously and plentifully impart unto Moses, and then unto the seventy eiders, Num. 11:17, Num. 11:25–26, to the end that they might be able to direct and govern thy people wisely, and in thy fear.

Of which See Poole “Deut. 8:4”.

Into corners, or, into a corner. But the singular number is very commonly put for the plural. This is understood, either, 1. Of the Israelites, to whom God divided by lot the kingdoms and nations last mentioned, and gave them all the corners, or sides, or quarters (for all these the word signifies)…

i.e. In all these comforts and blessings, which by thy great goodness they obtained and enjoyed.

Cast thy law behind their backs, i.e. neglected and despised thy laws, would not regard nor observe them; whereas they should have had them continually before their eyes, to direct and govern them. Compare Ps. 50:17, Ezek. 23:35.

Which if a man do, he shall live in them; of which see on Lev. 18:5, Ezek. 20:11, Rom. 10:5, Gal. 3:12. Withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, i.e. would not submit to thy yoke, like stubborn oxen.

Didst thou forbear them, i.e. thou didst delay to bring upon them those judgments which thou hadst threatened, and they had deserved, and didst wait for their repentance.

Covenant and mercy, i.e. covenanted mercy, or thy covenant of mercy and peace. Or, he adds mercy, because the covenant in itself was not a sufficient ground of hope, because they having so basely broken it, God was discharged from keeping it, and therefore they fly to God’s free and rich mercy for…

Which thou gavest before them, i.e. which thou didst lay open to their view and possession, removing their enemies and all impediments out of the way.

In that land wherein heretofore, under thee, and by thy favour, we were rightful lords and owners.

We plough, and sow, and labour, and thou givest thy blessing to our endeavours; and yet in a great measure this is not for ourselves, as formerly it was, but for our kings, to whom we pay great and heavy tributes for these things; of which see Ezra 6:8, Ezra 7:24.

Because of all this; because all this misery lies upon us for our sins, we do heartily repent of them, and resolve to forsake them. Or, we faithfully promise and engage ourselves to future obedience.