Neh 2:2 | TNotes | STEP | 2:2 Nehemiah was terrified because he had let his sadness show, and he did not know how the king would respond if he told him the reason for his sorrow (King Artaxerxes had previously ordered that Jerusalem not be rebuilt, Ezra 4:21-22 ). Nehemiah was not putting on an act; his deep mourning showed despite his best efforts to conceal it.

bEzra 4:21-22►

‏ Nehemiah 2:2

2:2 ^a Nehemiah was terrified because he had let his sadness show, and he did not know how the king would respond if he told him the reason for his sorrow (King Artaxerxes had previously ordered that Jerusalem not be rebuilt, Ezra 4:21-22 ^b). Nehemiah was not putting on an act; his deep mourning showed despite his best efforts to conceal it.