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 Je me rendis auprès des gouverneurs de l'autre côté du fleuve, et je leur remis les lettres du roi, qui m'avait fait accompagner par des chefs de l'armée et par des cavaliers.