_A.M. 3559. B.C. 445._ The enemies scoff, but Nehemiah prays, and continues the work, Nehemiah 4:1. To frustrate their design, he prays and sets a guard, Nehemiah 4:7. He encourages the workmen, and directs them how to proceed, Nehemiah 4:14. His further directions, Nehemiah 4:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And mocked the Jews_ Pretending contempt in his words, when he had grief, anger, and vexation in his heart. _And he spake before his brethren_ Before Tobiah, Geshem, and others, whom Nehemiah calls his brethren, because of their conjunction with him in office and interest. _And the army in Samaria_... [ Continue Reading ]
_If a fox go up_ He mentions foxes because they were very numerous in those parts, and because in the late desolation of Jerusalem, the foxes did frequent the mount and city of Zion, (Lamentations 5:18,) wherewith he seems to upbraid them. _He shall even break down their stone wall_ It is so low tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hear, O our God_ Nehemiah here interrupts the relation, to mention the prayer he made on the occasion. _Turn their reproach upon their own head_ Let them really be as contemptible as they represent us to be. This and the following requests must seem harsh to us, who are taught by the Lord Jesus to... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the wall was joined unto the half thereof_ That is, the wall was built round the whole city, there being no space unbuilt, and it was carried up to half the height that it was intended to be. _For the people had a mind to work_ Were very much set upon it, and went about it cheerfully, notwithst... [ Continue Reading ]
_That the breaches began to be stopped_ That is, the breaches which the Chaldeans had made and left in the walls were well nigh repaired. _Then they were very wroth_ They had flattered themselves with a notion that the work would soon stand still of itself; but when they heard that it went on and pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_We made our prayer unto God_ They committed themselves to the protection of God, whose servants they were, and whom they considered as being engaged for them. This was the way of good Nehemiah and his associates: all their cares, all their griefs, all their fears, they spread before God, and thereb... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Judah said_ That is, the Jews now dwelling in Judah; to wit, some of them, being partly terrified by their enemies, and partly wearied with continual labour: _the strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed_ The labourers have wrought so long and so hard that they are quite spent; _and there... [ Continue Reading ]
_Our adversaries said, They shall not know_, &c. Their enemies resolved not to appear with an army before Jerusalem, but to march so secretly that the Jews should have no notice of their approach till they saw them in the city, armed and prepared to attack them suddenly, and put them to the sword.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Jews which dwelt by them_ Who were neighbours to that people; or dwelt _among them_, as the words may be rendered, whereby they became acquainted with their counsels. _They said unto us ten times_ That is, they came and informed us very often, for _ten times_, in Scripture, signifies a grea... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore, in the lower places behind the wall_ Within the walls, where they were not yet raised to their due height, and therefore most liable to the enemies' assault. _On the higher places_ Upon the tops of the walls, where they were finished, and the towers which were built here and there upon t... [ Continue Reading ]
_I said unto the nobles, Be not afraid of them_ All was at stake; therefore he exhorts them to be valiant, trusting in God. _Remember the Lord, who is great and terrible_, &c. You think your enemies are great and terrible; but what are they in comparison with God? especially in opposition to him?... [ Continue Reading ]
_When our enemies heard that it was known unto us_ When they heard that their plot was discovered, and they had no hope to surprise us, but found that we were ready to receive them, they laid aside their designs, and we went on with our work.... [ Continue Reading ]
_It came to pass from that time forth_ Lest our enemies should repeat their enterprise; _that the half of my servants wrought in the work_ Of my domestic servants, and of my guards, who should have attended upon my own person. _And the other half held the spears, the shields_, &c. That is, all their... [ Continue Reading ]
_Every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other held a weapon_ That is, they were well prepared either to build or fight; for the expression is figurative, it not being possible for them to work, if both hands had not been at liberty. Accordingly the next verse says, _Every... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that sounded the trumpet was by me_ To give the alarm, and call the people together, when and where it was necessary. It appears by this he was continually with them while they wrought upon the wall.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Half of them held the spears_ For the use of every man, if there should be occasion. _From the rising of the morning till the stars appeared_ Working very early and very late. _Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem_ Not in the suburbs or adjoining villages, as probably many of them... [ Continue Reading ]
_None of us put off our clothes_ Neither by day nor by night, as the manner is when people go to rest, but they constantly kept themselves in readiness to fight, if any assault were made on the city. _Saving that every one put them off for washing_ When they were to wash and cleanse themselves from... [ Continue Reading ]