Matthew Poole and continuators on Nehemiah 6:13

13 Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin ▪ and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me .

By going into a place forbidden to me, and that in such a time, and manner, and upon such an occasion; which would have been both sinful and shameful. See on v. 11.

As a Coward, and conscious of my own guilt, that so they might make me contemptible and odious, both to my own People, and to the King of Posia.