Matthew Poole and continuators on Nehemiah 1

1 THe words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu , in the twentieth year , as I was in Shushan the palace,

Or rather, the acts, or deeds as the word oft signifies; of which he here treats.

Which is the 9th month containing part of November, and part of December.

Of Artaxerxes, ch. 2. 1.

The Chief and Royal City of Persia Esth. 3. 15.

Marginal references: Zech. 7. 1.

2 That Hanani, one of my Brethren came, he and certain men of Judah, and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped , which were left of the captivity and concerning Jerusalem.

Of my Family or Tribe or Nation.

Out of the slavery which they indured in strange Lands.

The remnant of those numerous Captives.

3 And they said unto me, the remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach : the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burnt with fire .

i. e. In Iudea, which was now made a province under the Persian Monarchs, see the Notes on Ezra. 5. 8.

Despised and distressed by the neighbouring Nations.

i. e. The walls and gates continue in the same woful plight in which Nebuchadnezzar left them; the Jews not being yet in a condition to rebuild them, nor having Commission from the Kings of Persia to do so, but onely to build the Temple and their own private houses. And this made their enemies scorn them; who also would have ruined them but for fear of offending the Persian King.

Marginal references: 2 Kin. 25. 10.

7 We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.

Or we have wholly corrupted, to wit our selves, and our ways, and thy Worship.

11 O LORD, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive unto the prayer of thy servant, & to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day and grant him mercy in the sight of this man . For I was the kings cup▪bearer .

The King: who though a God by Office, is but a man by Nature, and therefore his heart is wholly at thy disposal.

Whereby I had opportunity to speak to him and some Favour and Freedom with him; which encouraged me to make this Prayer and to hope for some success.

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