John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And I said unto the king, let the king live for ever , etc.] Which some think he said to take off the king’s suspicion of his having a design upon his life, though it seems to be a common salutation of the kings in those times, (see Daniel 6:6,21), why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, [lieth] waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire ? a man’s native place, and where his ancestors lie interred, being always reckoned near and dear, the king and his nobles could not object to his being concerned for the desolations thereof.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Our prayers must be seconded with serious endeavours, else we mock God We are not limited to certain moments in our addresses to the King of kings, but have liberty to go to him at all times; approaches to the throne of grace are never out of season. But the sense of God' displeasure and the afflictions of his people, are causes of sorrow to the children of God, under which no earthly delights can comfort. The king encouraged Nehemiah to tell his mind. This gave him boldness to speak; much more may the invitation Christ has given us to pray, an the promise that we shall speed, encourage us to come boldly to the throne of grace. Nehemiah prayed to the God of heaven, as infinitel above even this mighty monarch. He lifted up his heart to that God wh understands the language of the heart. Nor should we ever engage in an pursuit in which it would be wrong for us thus to seek and expect the Divine direction, assistance, and blessing. There was an immediat answer to his prayer; for the seed of Jacob never sought the God of Jacob in vain.
Original Hebrew ואמר559 למלך4428 המלך4428 לעולם5769 יחיה2421 מדוע4069 לא3808 ירעו7489 פני6440 אשׁר834 העיר5892 בית1004 קברות6913 אבתי1 חרבה2717 ושׁעריה8179 אכלו398 באשׁ׃784
