The Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 2:11

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

I… was there three days. Compare Ezra 8:32. After the long journey, three days of rest were necessary.

STEPS TAKEN BY NEHEMIAH PRELIMINARY TO HIS BUILDING OF THE WALL, AND FIRST APPEARANCE OF OPPOSITION (Nehemiah 2:12-20). Hitherto Nehemiah had communicated his purpose to no one but the king and queen of Persia. He expected opposition, and resolved to baffle his opponents, as long as possible, by concealing his exact designs. Even when further concealment was on the point of becoming impossible, he made his survey of the wall by night, that it might escape observation. At last, the time for action being come, he was obliged to lay the matter before the head men of the city (verse 17), whom he easily persuaded when he assured them of Artaxerxes' consent and goodwill Preparations then began to be made; and immediately murmurs of opposition arose. Three opponents are now spoken of—Sanballat, Tobiah, and an Arabian, Geshem or Gashmu, not previously mentioned. These persons appear to have sent a formal message to the authorities of Jerualem (verse 19), taxing them with an intention to rebel Nehemiah made no direct reply to this charge, but boldly stated his resolve to "arise and build," and denied Sanballat's right to interfere with him (verse 20).

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Nehemiah 2:9-18When Nehemiah had considered the matter, he told the Jews that God had put it into his heart to build the wall of Jerusalem. He does not undertake to do it without them. By stirring up ourselves and one another to that…Matthew Henry commentaryNehemiah's Journey to Jerusalem; the Malice of Sanballat, &c. (b. c. 445.)NEHEMIAH'S JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM; THE MALICE OF SANBALLAT, &C. (B. C. 445.) 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 h…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 2:9-11Ungodly (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,…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 2:9-20EXPOSITION NEHEMIAH'S JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM (Nehemiah 3:9-11). On his way to Jerusalem, Nehemiah would pass through the provinces of various Persian satraps and governors. To those beyond the Euphrates he carried letters…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 2:9-20Preparation 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 journe…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 2:10-20True 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 maint…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 2:11-20Wise procedure in presence of a great work. Nehemiah before Jerusalem, the earnest patriot prophet before the city of God, lying waste and exposed, suggests to us— I. THE PRESENCE OF A GREAT WORK AWAITING US. "So I came…Joseph S. Exell and contributors