With these two questions the king shows Nehemiah that he is open to the concept of Judah’s central city being rebuilt under Nehemiah’s leadership. These questions are an encouragement to Nehemiah to speak more candidly about what else is on his mind.
6 And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time.