23 Also, in those days, I have seen the Jews 'who' have settled women of Ashdod, of Ammon, of Moab. 24 And of their sons, half are speaking Ashdoditish—and are not knowing to speak Jewish—and according to the language of people and people. 25 And I strive with them, and declare them vile, and smite certain of them, and pluck off their hair, and cause them to swear by God, 'Ye do not give your daughters to their sons, nor do ye take of their daughters to your sons, and to yourselves. 26 'By these did not Solomon king of Israel sin? and among the many nations there was no king like him, and beloved by his God he was, and God maketh him king over all Israel—even him did the strange women cause to sin. 27 And to you do we hearken to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God, to settle strange women?' 28 And 'one' of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest, 'is' son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite, and I cause him to flee from off me. 29 Be mindful of them, O my God, for the redeemed of the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. 30 And I have cleansed them from every stranger, and appoint charges to priests and to Levites, each in his work, 31 and for the wood-offering at appointed times, and for first-fruits. Be mindful of me, O my God, for good.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:23-31
Commentary on Nehemiah 13:23-31
(Read Nehemiah 13:23-31)
If either parent be ungodly, corrupt nature will incline the children to take after that one; which is a strong reason why Christians should not be unequally yoked. In the education of children, great care should be taken about the government of their tongues; that they learn not the language of Ashdod, no impious or impure talk, no corrupt communication. Nehemiah showed the evil of these marriages. Some, more obstinate than the rest, he smote, that is, ordered them to be beaten by the officers according to the law, Deuteronomy 25:2,3. Here are Nehemiah's prayers on this occasion He prays, "Remember them, O my God." Lord, convince and convert them; put them in mind of what they should be and do. The best services to the public have been forgotten by those for whom they were done, therefore Nehemiah refers himself to God, to recompense him. This may well be the summary of our petitions; we need no more to make us happy than this; Remember me, O my God, for good. We may humbly hope that the Lord will remember us and our services, although, after lives of unwearied activity and usefulness, we shall still see cause to abhor ourselves and repent in dust and ashes, and to cry out with Nehemiah, Spare me, O my God, according to the greatness of they mercy.