1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
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,
3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.
6 And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
7 Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;
8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
9 Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.
10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
11 So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.
12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.
14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.
15 Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.
16 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
Chapter 2 of the Book of Nehemiah in the KJV Holy Bible continues the story of Nehemiah, a Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, who has been given permission to return to Jerusalem to help rebuild the walls of the city. In this chapter, Nehemiah finally arrives in Jerusalem and begins to assess the damage and make plans for the reconstruction. The main themes of this chapter include divine guidance, leadership, and perseverance in the face of opposition.
The chapter begins with Nehemiah arriving in Jerusalem in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign. He had been in Susa, the capital of Persia, serving as the king's cupbearer. Upon his arrival, Nehemiah is met with opposition from Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab. These men were governors of neighboring territories and were threatened by the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls.
Nehemiah's arrival in Jerusalem marks the beginning of his mission to rebuild the city's walls and restore its former glory. This is significant because it shows that God's plans and purposes will always come to pass, even in the face of opposition. Nehemiah's faith and determination to follow God's will despite the challenges set the tone for the rest of the chapter.
After arriving in Jerusalem, Nehemiah takes a three-day rest before beginning his mission. He then sets out to inspect the walls and gates of the city. Nehemiah's assessment reveals the extent of the damage done to the walls and the desperate state of the city. The walls were broken down, and the gates were burned with fire, leaving the city vulnerable to attacks from enemies.
This section of the chapter highlights the importance of taking time to assess the situation before taking action. Nehemiah did not rush into rebuilding the walls without first understanding the extent of the damage. This shows wisdom and careful planning, which are essential qualities of a good leader.
Once Nehemiah has assessed the damage, he shares his plan with the people of Jerusalem. He tells them that God has put it in his heart to rebuild the walls and restore the city's former glory. He also tells them that the king has granted him permission and has provided him with letters to ensure safe passage and resources for the project.
Nehemiah's plan is met with enthusiasm and support from the people. This shows the importance of effective communication and having a clear vision as a leader. Nehemiah's confidence and faith in God's plan also inspire others to join in the rebuilding efforts.
Despite the support from the people, Nehemiah's plan is met with opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. They mock and ridicule him, questioning his authority and ability to complete the project. Nehemiah responds with confidence and faith, telling them that God will give them success in their efforts.
Nehemiah's response to opposition demonstrates his unwavering faith and trust in God. He does not let the naysayers discourage him or distract him from his mission. Instead, he relies on God's strength and promises to see him through the challenges ahead.
Nehemiah's leadership and perseverance are evident throughout this chapter. He takes on the daunting task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem with determination and faith. He also shows strong leadership skills by effectively communicating his vision, assessing the situation, and responding to opposition with confidence and wisdom.
Nehemiah's example teaches us the importance of leadership and perseverance in the face of adversity. As believers, we are called to follow God's will and trust in His plans, even when they seem impossible. Nehemiah's story reminds us that with God's guidance and strength, anything is possible.
Chapter 2 of the Book of Nehemiah teaches us several important lessons that are still relevant today. It shows us the importance of seeking God's guidance and following His will, even in the face of opposition. Nehemiah's story also highlights the qualities of a good leader, such as wisdom, determination, and effective communication.
Additionally, the chapter emphasizes the importance of assessing the situation before taking action. Nehemiah did not rush into rebuilding the walls without first understanding the extent of the damage. This teaches us the value of careful planning and preparation in any endeavor.
Moreover, Nehemiah's response to opposition reminds us to stay steadfast in our faith and trust in God's promises. He did not let the naysayers discourage him or distract him from his mission. Instead, he relied on God's strength and promises to see him through the challenges ahead.
Overall, Chapter 2 of the Book of Nehemiah shows us the power of faith, perseverance, and effective leadership in fulfilling God's plans and purposes. It encourages us to trust in God's guidance and strength as we face challenges and obstacles in our own lives. Nehemiah's story serves as a reminder that with God, all things are possible.
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