41 Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall , he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews . 2 He spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said , "What are these feeble Jews doing ? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices ? Can they finish in a day ? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?" 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said , "Even what they are building - if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down !" 4 Hear , O our God , how we are despised ! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity . 5 Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before e You, for they have demoralized e the builders . 6 So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work .
7 Now when Sanballat , Tobiah , the Arabs , the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed , they were very angry . 8 All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause a disturbance in it. 9 But we prayed to our God , and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night . 10 Thus in Judah it was said , "The strength of the burden bearers is failing , Yet there is much rubbish ; And we ourselves are unable e To rebuild the wall ." 11 Our enemies said , "They will not know or see until e we come among e them, kill them and put a stop to the work ." 12 When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times , "They will come up against us from every place where you may turn ,"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:1-12
Commentary on Nehemiah 4:1-6
(Read Nehemiah 4:1-6)
Many a good work has been looked upon with contempt by proud and haughty scorners. Those who disagree in almost every thing, will unite in persecution. Nehemiah did not answer these fools according to their folly, but looked up to God by prayer. God's people have often been a despised people, but he hears all the slights that are put upon them, and it is their comfort that he does so. Nehemiah had reason to think that the hearts of those sinners were desperately hardened, else he would not have prayed that their sins might never be blotted out. Good work goes on well, when people have a mind to it. The reproaches of enemies should quicken us to our duty, not drive us from it.
Commentary on Nehemiah 4:7-15
(Read Nehemiah 4:7-15)
The hindering good work is what bad men aim at, and promise themselves success in; but good work is God's work, and it shall prosper. God has many ways of bringing to light, and so of bringing to nought, the devices and designs of his church's enemies. If our enemies cannot frighten us from duty, or deceive us into sin, they cannot hurt us. Nehemiah put himself and his cause under the Divine protection. It was the way of this good man, and should be our way. All his cares, all his griefs, all his fears, he spread before God. Before he used any means, he made his prayer to God. Having prayed, he set a watch against the enemy. If we think to secure ourselves by prayer, without watchfulness, we are slothful, and tempt God; if by watchfulness, without prayer, we are proud, and slight God: either way, we forfeit his protection. God's care of our safety, should engage and encourage us to go on with vigour in our duty. As soon as a danger is over, let us return to our work, and trust God another time.