Nehemiah 6

6:1-19 With the financial crisis solved (ch 5), the narrative returns to how the enemies of rebuilding tried to intimidate or eliminate Nehemiah.

6:2 The plain of Ono, located near Lod (Ezra 2:33), was probably a neutral site west of Jerusalem, where Nehemiah would have been unprotected.

6:6-7 planning to rebel . . . you plan to be their king: Those who had opposed the restoration of the Temple had used similar tactics (see Ezra 4). • At times in Israel’s history, prophets did play a role in establishing a new king (cp. 1 Sam 9:16; 2 Kgs 9).

6:11 A good leader would not run from danger but would stand as an example to his people.

6:15-16 just fifty-two days: Everyone realized that the help of our God was what made such success possible (see also 1:11; 2:8, 18, 20; 4:15, 20).