Nehemiah 1 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

The words — Or rather, the acts, as the word often signifies. Chisleu — Which is the ninth month, containing part of November, and part of December. Year — Of Artaxerxes. Shushan — The royal city of Persia.

The province — In Judea, now a province under the Persian monarchs. The wall, &c. — The walls and gates continue as Nebuchadnezzar left them; the Jews not being in a condition to rebuild them, nor having commission from the kings of Persia to do so.

The God of heaven — Who seeth in secret; secret; having no opportunity of doing it openly.

Which I pray, &c. — He refers to all the prayers, which he had for some time been putting up.

To fear thy name — Those who truly desire to fear his name, shall be graciously accepted of God. This man — The king: who is but a man and therefore his heart is wholly at thy disposal. Favour with men is then comfortable, when we see it springing from the mercy of God. Cup — bearer — Whereby I had opportunity to speak to him, and some favour with him.