Ten times over Nehemiah received deputations of this kind (ver.

12); and the spirits of the builders sank lower and lower.
But Nehemiah, like a true leader, rises to the occasion, and does not allow himself to be cast down.

He did not make light of the difficulties he saw around him, but he manfully faced them, and in the hour of trial his people did not desert him.
One day, ver.

14, looking towards the north, Nehemiah suddenly saw the enemy coming.

But all was ready; the weapons were laid where they could be taken up in a moment.