17 Then I said to them, "You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire . Come , let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach ." 18 I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king's words which he had spoken to me. Then they said , "Let us arise and build ." So they put their hands to the good work.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:17-18
Commentary on Nehemiah 2:9-18
(Read Nehemiah 2:9-18)
When Nehemiah had considered the matter, he told the Jews that God had put it into his heart to build the wall of Jerusalem. He does not undertake to do it without them. By stirring up ourselves and one another to that which is good, we strengthen ourselves and one another for it. We are weak in our duty, when we are cold and careless.