And, not only does he miss those Levites, whose duty it was to attend upon the priests, but he misses also the temple singers; the sons of Asaph and their companions are nowhere to be seen.

The temple choir has entirely disappeared, and the services have accordingly languished.

As Nehemiah looks round the whole place appears to him quiet, empty, and dismal.

Nothing seems to be going on, all is apparently at a standstill.
Nehemiah feels sure that something is wrong, and the further he goes into the temple area the more convinced he is that he is not mistaken.
Passing through the Beautiful Gate, he crosses the Court of the Women, and ascends the steps into the Court of Israel, where stands the temple itself.
Into the temple Nehemiah cannot pass, for none but the priests may enter the Holy Place and Holy of Holies.

But round the temple building there had been erected an out-building or lean-to which surrounded the temple on three sides, and which was made up of three stories, each containing a number of rooms, some smaller, some larger.