And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
When I heard these words ... I sat down ... and mourned ... and fasted, and prayed. The recital deeply affected the patriotic feelings of this good man, and no comfort could he find but in earnest and protracted prayer, that God would favour the purpose, which he seems to have secretly formed, of asking the royal permission to go to Jerusalem.