And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
Ver. 7. And I came to Jerusalem] There was his heart before, Animus est ubi amat, non ubi animat (Aug. de Cir. Dei, 1.9, e. 16). No sooner, therefore, had he got his conge d'aller at court, but he flees to Jerusalem, as the doves do to their windows. Fugiendum est ad clarissimam patriam; ibi pater, ibi omnia, saith Plotinus, the philosopher: hasten we all to our heavenly home; there is all that heart can wish, &c. Nehemiah lacketh nothing, with Artaxerxes, Hadad with Pharaoh; yet, in any case, will go into his own country, 1 Kings 11:22. Rivers run into the sea, whence they came; the dove resteth not but upon the ark. Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine cunctos Ducit - (Ovid).
And understood not of the evil that Eliashib did] As Joseph brought his brethrens' evil report to their father, Genesis 37:2, as the household of Chloe declared unto St Paul the contentions at Corinth, 1 Corinthians 1:11, so did some good souls this high priest's miscarriages to Nehemiah, and that in an ordinance; not to disgrace him, but to reclaim him, and to free themselves from the guilt of a sinful silence.