He was laid on his back in a kind of horse-trough, and strongly fastened to the four corners of it.

Then another trough was put over him, leaving only his head and hands and feet uncovered, for which purpose holes were made in the upper trough.

Then his face was smeared with honey, and he was placed in the scorching rays of the sun.

Hundreds of flies settled on his face, and he lay there in agony for many long days.

Food was given him from time to time, but he was never moved or uncovered, and it was more than a fortnight before death released him from his sufferings.
It was the very king who had put one of his subjects to this death of awful torment before whom Nehemiah had to appear, and of whom he had to make a request.