Nehemiah 2:1

CHAPTER II

Artaxerxes, observing the sorrow of Nehemiah, inquires into the

cause, 1, 2.

Nehemiah shows him the cause, and requests permission to go and

rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, 3-6.

The king grants it, and gives him letters to the governors beyond

the river, 7, 8.

He sets out on his journey, 9.

Sanballat and Tobiah are grieved to find he had got such a

commission, 10.

He comes to Jerusalem; and, without informing any person of his

business, examines by night the state of the city, 11-16.

He informs the priests, nobles, and rulers, of his design and

commission, 17, 18.

The design is turned into contempt by Sanballat, Tobiah, and

Geshem, 19.

Nehemiah gives them a suitable answer, 20.

NOTES ON CHAP. II

Verse Nehemiah 2:1. Month Nisan] Answering to a part of our March and April.

I took up the wine] It is supposed that the kings of Persia had a different cup-bearer for each quarter of the year, and that it had just now come to Nehemiah's turn.