Nehemiah receives permission and provision from the king to return to Jerusalem and build its walls. Nehemiah sees the wall’s condition and leads the people to rebuild it.

• A cupbearer was responsible for making sure the king’s food was not poisoned, and so the king literally trusted him with his life. In light of this, why would Nehemiah’s sad countenance be a bad thing?
• Why did the king give Nehemiah what he asked for (v. 8)? Where did Nehemiah’s trust lie? What application can you make from this?
• How did Nehemiah encourage the returned exiles to rebuild the wall (vv. 17–18)?