John Trapp on Nehemiah 5:14

Verſe 14. From the time that I was appointed to be their governour] He was not ambitious of the office, nor uſurped it: but was commanded to it (as the word ſignifieth) by the King of Perſia, and clearly called to it by God Almighty. Otherwiſe he could have ſhrouded himſelf in willing ſecrecy, as good corn lieth in the bottome of the heap; and as good balſam ſinketh to the bottome of the veſſel.

I and my brethren have not eaten the bread, &c.] Rulers, as they are nurſing-fathers to the people, Iſa. 49.23. ſo by them they are to be nouriſhed, and their ſtate maintained, See 1 Kings 4.7. It is alſo obſerved, that although our Saviour Chriſt wrought many miracles; yet he never wrought any about honour or money, but that about tribute: rather then that ſhould go undiſcharged, he commanded a fiſh to pay it. Hence alſo he ſaith not Date, Matth. 22. Rom. 13.6. but Reddite; Give, but Render unto Caeſar the things that are Caeſars. And Saint Paul ſaith, ye pay tribute, as being a due debt. Nevertheleſſe in this great neceſſity Nehemiah lets go his own right, and leaveth it to others: like as the Eagle is ſaid,Toſtat, ex Plin. when ſhe ſeeketh her prey, to leave a good part thereof to the birds that follow her, for the ſame end.