The Pulpit Commentary — Nehemiah — Section 60

which was sure to come to the ears of CHAPTER VI. Artaxerxes, and would bring the Jews into SECRET PROCEEDINGS OF SANBALLAT AND trouble. An open letter on a delicate subject HIS FRIENDS TO HINDER THE BUILDING OF is in the East an insult, and this step of rIIE WALL, AND THEIR FAILURE. THE WALL Sanballat's could only have been taken in COMPLETED (eh. vi.). When the open op- order to excite the mind of Nehemiah's sub- position failed, when it was found that jects, and to bring pressure to bear on him Nehemiah's arrangements for guarding the from them. Nehemiah, however, was not wall (eh. iv. 13-23) were such that success to be intimidated, or diverted from his was not likely to attend the employment of pm·pose. He protested that the charge force by the confederates, with such resources made against him was a pure calumny, in- as they had at their disposal, and the idea vented by Sanballat himself, and still of an assault was therefore given up, re- declined e. conference (ver. 8). Hereupon course was had to artifice and intrigue. intrigues began between Sanballat and First of all, Sanballat sent to propose e. Tobiah, on the one hand, and some of meeting between himself, Geshem, and Nehemiah's subjects, on the other. Tobiah Nehemiu.h in the open country about Ono, was connected by marriage with Jews of twenty-five or thirty miles from Jerusalem, high position in Jerusalem (ver. 18), and hoping thus to draw him to a distance from had thus an excuse for holding frequent his supporters, and intending to "do him e. correspondence with them (ver. 17). His mischief" (ver. 2). Nehemiah, who per- letters seem to have been allowed free ad- ceived the snare, declined; but Sanballat mission into the Jewish capital, and he was persisted, and me.de four other proposals for thus enabled to cause serious trouble. At conferences, probably varying the place, but one time he addressed Nehemiah himself, all without avail. On the fifth e.nd last and tried to intimidate hinl (vcr. 19). .At eccosion the letter sent to Nehemiah was an another he worked upon certain men.hers open one, and tnxed him with an intention of the prophetical order, and by bribes or to rebel and mnke himself king, cm intention promises induced them to become hi~ ai<lers  62 THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH. [c,l', VI. 1-19.