Through grace, faith had
set up the altar, and the Gentiles had had nothing to do
with it, except by voluntary service; but when the city
is to be rebuilt, it is the governor appointed by the
Gentiles who holds the prominent place, God having
touched the heart of these Gentiles and disposed them to
favour His people. We see in Nehemiah himself a heart
touched with the affliction of his people, a precious
token of the grace of God; and He who had produced this
feeling disposed the king's heart to grant Nehemiah all
he desired for the good of the people and of Jerusalem.
We see also in Nehemiah a heart that habitually
turned to God, that sought its strength in Him, and
thus surmounted the greatest obstacles.
Nehemiah 1 Bible Commentary
John Darby’s Synopsis
Through grace, faith had set up the altar, and the Gentiles had had nothing to do with it, except by voluntary service; but when the city is to be rebuilt, it is the governor appointed by the Gentiles who holds the prominent place, God having touched the heart of these Gentiles and disposed them to favour His people. We see in Nehemiah himself a heart touched with the affliction of his people, a precious token of the grace of God; and He who had produced this feeling disposed the king's heart to grant Nehemiah all he desired for the good of the people and of Jerusalem. We see also in Nehemiah a heart that habitually turned to God, that sought its strength in Him, and thus surmounted the greatest obstacles.