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- king's permission:
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- "It was in the month Chisleu (December), 445 B.C., that Hanani came to his brother, Nehemiah, at Susa, the Persian capital, with his sad report concerning matters in Jerusalem. Nehemiah was grief-stricken and spent days in intercession for his people. Not until four months had passed, however, did he ask the king if he might go and render assistance. He seems to have waited for an opportune time, desiring every advantage when the request would be given. Perhaps he was remembering Artaxerxes' earlier refusal, voiced through the Samaritans, as to rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. But in the spring of 444 B.C., the opportunity came. The king noticed sadness on Nehemiah's part one day and asked the reason. Nehemiah told him of Jerusalem's plight, asked if he might journey there to help, and even requested letters to officials in Abarnahara to grant him all for which he asked, thus cheering and encouraging his faithful servant's heart. He further assigned army officers and cavalry to convey Nehemiah safely over the many miles of travel." (Leon J. Wood, A SURVEY OF ISRAEL'S HISTORY, © 1970 Zondervan, p. 400)
