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Nehemiah 5:14-19

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

14. Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, [that is], twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. 15. But the former governors that [had been] before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. 16. Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants [were] gathered thither unto the work. 17. Moreover [there were] at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that [are] about us. 18. Now [that] which was prepared [for me] daily [was] one ox [and] six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. 19. Think upon me, my God, for good, [according] to all that I have done for this people.

Nehemiah 5:14-19 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Nehemiah 5:14

Theological / Devotional

I was appointed. Here for the first time Nehemiah clearly states that his authorization to return and rebuild the wall of Jerusalem was accompanied by appointment to the governorship of the province of Judea. It is possible that the appointment took place soon thereafter. His 12 years of governorship did not begin earlier than Nisan in the 20th year of Artaxerxes (chapter 2:1), that is, not before April 2, 444 B.C. It ended in the 32nd regnal year of Artaxerxes, which according to Nehemiah’s calendar year (see p. 109) probably began Sept. 25, 433, and ended Oct. 13, 432 B.C. During this year he was recalled to Artaxerxes’ court (chapter 13:6), and it was probably at this time that the account of chapter 5:14-19 was written, perhaps also verses 1-13, and possibly other parts of the book.

The bread of the governor. During all his term of office he had not claimed the usual revenue a governor was entitled to receive from his subjects; he had paid his own personal expenses. By his “brethren” Nehemiah here refers to his entire court as well as his own family.

By SdaBc