Nehemiah 2:4

4 The king asked, "What is it that you need?" I prayed to the God of heaven

Nehemiah 2:4 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 2:4

Then the king said unto me, for what dost thou make request?
&c.] The king supposed that there was a meaning in those looks and words of his, that he had a favour to ask of him, and therefore encourages him to it; or the king of himself moved this, as being desirous of doing anything for him he would propose, to make him easy:

so I prayed to the God of heaven;
secretly, in an ejaculatory way, giving him thanks for thus disposing the king's heart towards him, and entreating he might be directed what to ask, and in a proper manner, and that he might succeed.

Nehemiah 2:4 In-Context

2 the king asked me, "Why do you seem sad? Since you aren't sick, you must have a broken heart!" I was very afraid

3 and replied, "May the king live forever! Why shouldn't I seem sad when the city, the place of my family's graves, is in ruins and its gates destroyed by fire?"

4 The king asked, "What is it that you need?" I prayed to the God of heaven

5 and replied, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, please send me to Judah, to the city of my family's graves so that I may rebuild it."

6 With the queen sitting beside him, the king asked me, "How long will you be away and when will you return?" So it pleased the king to send me, and I told him how long I would be gone.