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Nehemiah 2

World English Bible

WEB

1In the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, I picked up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad before in his presence. 2The king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why shouldn’t my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates have been consumed with fire?” 4Then the king said to me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may build it.” 6The king said to me (the queen was also sitting by him), “How long will your journey be? When will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time for him. 7Moreover I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah; 8and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house that I will occupy.” The king granted my requests, because of the good hand of my God on me. 9Then I came to the governors beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. 10When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel. 11So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. 12I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There wasn’t any animal with me except the animal that I rode on. 13I went out by night by the valley gate toward the jackal’s well, then to the dung gate; and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and its gates were consumed with fire. 14Then I went on to the spring gate and to the king’s pool, but there was no place for the animal that was under me to pass. 15Then I went up in the night by the brook and inspected the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and so returned. 16The rulers didn’t know where I went, or what I did. I had not as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work. 17Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come, let’s build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we won’t be disgraced.” 18I told them about the hand of my God which was good on me, and also about the king’s words that he had spoken to me. They said, “Let’s rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite servant, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?” 20Then I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven will prosper us. Therefore we, his servants, will arise and build; but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Nehemiah Chapter 2 recounts Nehemiah's journey from Persia to Jerusalem, driven by his deep concern for the city and its people. After receiving troubling news about the state of Jerusalem's walls and gates, Nehemiah seeks permission from King Artaxerxes to return and rebuild. His heartfelt prayer in the previous chapter sets the stage for this moment, demonstrating his reliance on God. The king not only grants Nehemiah's request but also provides him with letters for safe passage and resources for the rebuilding effort, showcasing God's favor upon Nehemiah. This act of divine provision emphasizes the importance of prayer and faith in pursuing God's will. #Nehemiah #Artaxerxes #Jerusalem #Rebuilding
Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem and surveys the damaged walls by night, assessing the extent of the destruction. He then gathers the Jewish leaders and shares his vision for rebuilding the city, inspiring them with the message of God's hand upon him. The people respond positively, saying, "Let us rise up and build!" (Nehemiah 2:18). This chapter highlights the themes of leadership, unity, and the importance of a shared mission among God's people. Nehemiah's determination and faith serve as a powerful reminder of how God can use individuals to accomplish His purposes, even in the face of adversity. The chapter concludes with opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, foreshadowing the challenges Nehemiah and the people will face as they embark on this significant task.

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Referenced by

  1. Ezra 4:3v20In Ezra 4:3, Zerubbabel and Jeshua refuse the help of the adversaries, similar to Nehemiah's response in Nehemiah 2:20, where he denies the adversaries any share in Jerusalem. Both passages emphasize the importance of maintaining purity in the work of God.
  2. Ezra 7:6v8Ezra 7:6 highlights that Ezra was granted favor by the king because the hand of the Lord was upon him. Similarly, Nehemiah 2:8 shows Nehemiah receiving favor from the king due to God's hand upon him, emphasizing divine providence in the return from exile.
  3. Esther 4:11v1Esther 4:11 highlights the risk of approaching the king uninvited, similar to Nehemiah's cautious approach to King Artaxerxes in Nehemiah 2:1-5, where he also risks his life to make a request.
  4. Esther 5:8v4Esther 5:8 shows Esther's strategic request to the king, similar to Nehemiah's request to King Artaxerxes in Nehemiah 2:4-5, demonstrating wisdom and timing in approaching authority.
  5. Esther 7:3v3In Esther 7:3, Queen Esther approaches King Ahasuerus with a request for her life and the life of her people, similar to how Nehemiah approaches King Artaxerxes with a request to rebuild Jerusalem. Both instances show the courage and faith required to make bold requests before a king.
  6. Esther 10:3v10Mordecai's concern for the welfare of the Jews in Esther 10:3 parallels Nehemiah's concern for the welfare of Jerusalem in Nehemiah 2:10, highlighting the theme of godly leaders advocating for their people.
  7. Psalms 123:4v19Psalm 123:4 speaks of contempt from the proud, which is mirrored in Nehemiah 2:19 where Nehemiah faces scorn from Sanballat and others, illustrating the theme of opposition from the arrogant.

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