They captured fortified cities and fertile land and took houses full of all goods, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled; they grew fat and delighted in Your great goodness.
We have here an account how the work of this fast-day was carried on. 1. The names of the ministers that were employed. They are twice named (Neh 9:4, Neh 9:5), only with some variation of the names. Either they prayed successively, according to that rule which the apostle gives (Co1 14:31, You may all prophesy one by one), or, as some think, there were...
Commenting on Nehemiah 9:4-38
And they took strong cities,.... Such as, in an hyperbolical way, are said to be walled up to heaven, Deu 1:28 and a fat land; of a good and fruitful soil, abounding with all good things, Deu 8:7 and possessed houses full of all goods; ready built and furnished for them, both with good provisions and good furniture: wells digged; to supply them with water...
THE LEVITES CONFESS GOD'S MANIFOLD GOODNESS, AND THEIR OWN WICKEDNESS. (Neh. 9:4-38) Then stood up upon the stairs--the scaffolds or pulpits, whence the Levites usually addressed the people. There were probably several placed at convenient distances, to prevent confusion and the voice of one drowning those of the others.
Commenting on Nehemiah 9:4-38