After 12 years of governing in Judah, Nehemiah journeyed to Susa to check-in with King Artaxerxes. Recall that the king had readily given Nehemiah permission to go to Jerusalem, but the king’s only stipulation was that Nehemiah would eventually return (2:6). Nehemiah kept his word by reappearing in the Persian court to give a report of all the happenings in the Judean province. With the city walls rebuilt, Jerusalem repopulated, and the people recommitted to covenant obedience, Nehemiah likely felt it was a safe moment to take a sabbatical from his governorship.

Support the show