Sad — His fasting joined with inward grief had made a sensible change in his countenance. Afraid — It was an unusual and ungrateful thing to come into the king of Persia's presence with any token of sorrow. And he feared a disappointment, because his request was great and invidious, and odious to most of the Persian courtiers.
Related Commentaries of Nehemiah 2:2
Nehemiah 2:2
2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,