I Nehemiah is informed of the deplorable state of the Jews at Jerusalem, ver. 1-3. He fasts and prays, ver. 4-11

Verse 1. The words - Or rather, the acts, as the word often signifies. Chisleu - Which is the ninth month, containing part of November, and part of December. Year - Of Artaxerxes. Shushan - The royal city of Persia.

Verse 3. The province - In Judea, now a province under the Persian monarchs. The wall, &c. - The walls and gates continue as Nebuchadnezzar left them; the Jews not being in a condition to rebuild them, nor having commission from the kings of Persia to do so.

Verse 4. The God of heaven - Who seeth in secret; secret; having no opportunity of doing it openly.

Verse 6. Which I pray, &c. - He refers to all the prayers, which he had for some time been putting up.