Here we first meet with Nehemiah at the Persian court, where we find him, I. Inquisitive concerning the state of the Jews and Jerusalem, Nehemiah 1:1, 1:2. II. Informed of their deplorable condition, Nehemiah 1:3. III. Fasting and praying thereupon (Nehemiah 1:4), with a particular account of his prayer, Nehemiah 1:5-1:11. Such is the rise of this great man, by piety, not by policy. MHBCC 415.1