If he made a great demonstration of any kind, it would be easy for the Samaritans to put their own construction upon it, and to write off at once to Persia to accuse him of setting up the standard of rebellion.

It was, therefore, advisable to obtain direct permission for such a step from Artaxerxes himself.

Now the city is in order, the necessary precautions have been taken, and Nehemiah feels that there is nothing to hinder the holding of the solemn ceremonial of the dedication of the Holy City to God.
Who are these men who are arriving by companies at all the different gates of Jerusalem?
They are the Levites, coming up from all parts of the country to the service of dedication.

They are carrying with them various musical instruments--cymbals, trumpets, psalteries and harps--old instruments used by King David, and some of them evidently invented by him and bearing his name, for we find them called, in xii.
36: 'The musical instruments of David, the man of God.' These are to be used in the grand service which is about to take place.
Many new musical instruments had been invented since the time of David, and the Jews of the captivity had seen and used these in Babylon and Shushan.

We read, in the Book of Daniel, of the cornet, the flute, the sackbut, the dulcimer; all these instruments were familiar to the Jews of Nehemiah's day.