Nehemiah 2:6

“And the king said unto me, the queen also sitting by him, etc.] Which it seems was not very common for the queens of Persia to dine with the kings their husbands; though this may be observed, not so much for the singularity of it, as for the providence of God in it, that so it should be, she having a good respect for Nehemiah, and the Jewish nation, and forwarded the king in his grant to him: if this king was Darius Hystaspis, this his queen was Atossa, daughter of Cyrus f16, who might be the more friendly to the Jews, on account of her father’s great regard unto them: for how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? what time would he ask to do this business in? this shows the…”

“the queen also sitting by him--As the Persian monarchs did not admit their wives to be present at their state festivals, this must have been a private occasion. The queen referred to was probably Esther, whose presence would tend greatly to embolden Nehemiah in stating his request; and through her influence, powerfully exerted it may be supposed, also by her sympathy with the patriotic design, his petition was granted, to go as deputy governor of Judea, accompanied by a military guard, and invested with full powers to obtain materials for the building in Jerusalem, as well as to get all requisite aid in promoting his enterprise. I set him a time--Considering the great despatch made in…”

“The queen - Though the Persian kings practiced polygamy, they always had one chief wife, who alone was recognized as “queen.” The chief wife of Longimanus was Damaspia. I set him a time - Nehemiah appears to have stayed at Jerusalem twelve years from his first arrival Nehemiah 5:14; but he can scarcely have mentioned so long a term to the king. Probably his leave of absence was prolonged from time to time. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The queen - Which is here noted, as an unusual thing; for commonly the kings of Persia dined alone, and perhaps because the queen expressed some kindness to him, and promoted his request. How long - This question shewed the king's affection to him, and that he was not willing to want his attendance longer than was necessary. A time - He built the walls in fifty two days, Neh 6:15, and probably not long after returned to the king, by whom he was sent a second time with a more ample commission. Nehemiah 2:8”

“2:6 How long will you be gone? (see 5:14): Nehemiah probably requested a short period of time initially, later asking for an extension.”

“the queen: Heb. the wife, It was probably Esther who was present at this time, and who seconded Nehemiah's request. So it pleased: Neh 2:4, Neh 1:11; Isa 58:12, Isa 61:4, Isa 65:24 I set him a time: It is probable that this time was no more than six months, or a year; after which he either returned, or had his leave of absence lengthened, as we find he was twelve years governor of the Jews. Neh 5:14, Neh 13:6 Nehemiah 2:7”

“The king and the queen, who was sitting near him (שׁגל, Psa 45:10), grant him permission to depart after he has, in answer to their inquiry, fixed the period of his absence. Nehemiah makes the result of the conversation, "And it pleased the king," etc., follow immediately upon the question of the king and queen: For how long shall thy journey be, and when wilt thou return? before telling us what was his answer to this question, which is not brought in till afterwards, so that זמן לו ואתּנה must be understood as expressing: since I had determined the time. Nehemiah 2:7”