Nehemiah 13:8

And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.

Ver. 8. And it grieved me sore] Such was his zeal for God that he could not bear it; no more could Phineas those two naughty packs, nor Paul the idolatry of Athens, Acts 17:16, his spirit was moved, he was in a fit, yea, almost besides himself, as the word παοωξυνετο signifieth. This the mad world counteth madness, 2 Corinthians 5:13, but madness in this case is better than mopishness, and the true zealot may answer his adversaries as David did Michal, 2 Samuel 6:21, or as Basil did the threatening prefect, who told him that he was mad, Opto me in aeternum sic delirare, I wish I may be so mad to my life's end.

Therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah] As a profane thing, not fit to be in so holy a place. True zeal, as fire, is active, and saith, Shall I budge, stop, or step back, because hoc Ithacus velit? remit my diligence for fear of a frown, loss, or mischief? Out of doors with this bondwoman and her son; down with this piece of grass, let Adonijah die, though Bathsheba intercede for him, &c.