Nehemiah 2:3

“And I said unto the king, let the king live for ever, etc.] Which some think he said to take off the king’s suspicion of his having a design upon his life, though it seems to be a common salutation of the kings in those times, (see <270606>Daniel 6:6,21), 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? a man’s native place, and where his ancestors lie interred, being always reckoned near and dear, the king and his nobles could not object to his being concerned for the desolations thereof.”

“The city ... of my fathers’ sepulchres - We may conclude from this that Nehemiah was of the tribe of Judah, as Eusebius and Jerome say that he was. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Why should, &c. - All the grievances of the church, but especially its desolations, ought to be matter of grief to all good people, to all that have a concern for God's honour, and are of a public spirit. Nehemiah 2:4”

“2:3 Nehemiah affirmed his loyalty with the customary long live the king (cp. Dan 2:4), yet he did not deny his sadness.”

“Let the king: Far from wishing ill to my master, I wish him to live forever. Kg1 1:31; Dan 2:4, Dan 3:9, Dan 5:10, Dan 6:6, Dan 6:21 the city: Neh 1:3; Psa 102:14, Psa 137:6; Lam 2:9 the place: Ch2 21:20, Ch2 28:27, Ch2 32:33 Nehemiah 2:4”