These words recall Nehemiah’s conclusion about the conversation he’d had with King Artaxerxes some weeks ago in Susa, as recorded in Nehemiah 2:1–8, specifically that the way that dialogue went could only be attributed to the Lord’s gracious and mighty work (Proverbs 21:1).
18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.