As the city's walls were being rebuilt, opposition to their efforts mounted. At first their adversaries (Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab) were content to mock the workers (Neh. 2:19; 4:1-3). Then they drew up plans to attack Jerusalem (4:7-8). Four times the rivals attempted to lure Nehemiah away from the city, but he saw through their schemes (6:1-4). Sanballat also threatened to accuse Nehemiah of rebellion against the Persian king (6:5-9). The last recorded attempt by Nehemiah's enemies was an "inside job" to discredit him, through a false prophet named Shemaiah (6:10-14). Despite all the opposition, the work of rebuilding was completed in only fifty-two days (6:15).
