Jerusalem now-a-days rings with many a cry of distress caused by the unjust means used by the pacha to increase his stipend by putting fresh burdens on the people.

The former Jewish governors had made as much as forty shekels a day, or L1,800 a year out of the people in their province.

But when Nehemiah came to Jerusalem, he found the people so poverty-stricken and oppressed that he would not take a single penny for himself.

It is probable that his salary as cup-bearer had been continued, and on this he lived and kept his household going all the time of his government.

Not only so; not only did Nehemiah pay all his private expenses, but he kept open house for the people of Jerusalem; every day 150 of the rulers and chief men dined with him, besides all the visitors to Jerusalem, Jews from other countries, strangers from foreign nations who were staying but a short time in the city, all of whom were invited to the governor's house, and sat down at the governor's table.
Nehemiah himself gives us his daily bill of fare, ver.