Nehemiah had heard from his brother about the trials of the people in Jerusalem, due primarily to the broken-down walls of the city (Nehemiah 1:3). He responded with continued fasting and prayer (Nehemiah 1:4). The Lord’s answer to his prayer is recorded in Nehemiah 2:1–8: King Artaxerxes granted Nehemiah a commission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem complete with needed security and supplies. The present passage relates how Nehemiah, upon his arrival in the city, laid the groundwork for the intended reconstruction.
9 Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.