Nehemiah 2:9-20 - The Biblical Illustrator

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Bible Comments

Then I came to the governors beyond the river.

The initial stages of a great reformation

Great reformations often have an insignificant commencement and are slow in developing their true proportions. Reformation work--

I. Requires a vigorous leader.

II. Should not be undertaken without a deliberate estimate of its magnitude and difficulty.

III. In its initial stages is almost certain to provoke opposition.

IV. Cannot be carried on without mutual co-operation.

V. Cannot succeed without the divine blessing. (Homiletic Commentary.)

And gave them the king’s letters.

The king’s letters

Here is a beautiful picture of the Christian evangelist. When he goes abroad he has no introduction of himself to make--he simply delivers the King’s letters. When the preacher appears in the pulpit, all he has to do is to give the people the King’s letters; when the student bends his head over his desk in the study, it is only that he may study what is written in the letters of the King. The moment we begin to write letters of commendation for ourselves, we become as other men; our distinctiveness as ambassadors is lost. The King’s letters are full of light and love. They are addressed to every man. (J. Parker, D. D.)

When Sanballat the Horonite. .. it grieved them exceedingly.--

Secret jealousy

There is jealousy--

I. Tyrannical in its spirit.

II. Anti-religious in its attitude.

III. Covetously selfish in its motives.

IV. Self-torturing in its effects. (Homiletic Commentary.)

Related Commentaries of Nehemiah 2:9

Nehemiah 2:9-20

9 Then 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.

10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

11 So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.

12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.

13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.

14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.

15 Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.

16 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.

17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.

19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?

20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.