Charles Spurgeon Commentary Nehemiah 4:12

"And it came to pass that, when the Jews that dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times from all places, Ye must return unto us." — Nehemiah 4:12 (ASV)

These Jews ought to have been helping to build the wall; but they did not come to the help of the Lord's people. Still, they were sufficiently friendly to tell Nehemiah of the plot that was being hatched by his enemies. God knows how, when his enemies are sinking a mine, to undermine them. If secrecy is necessary to the success of evil, somebody speaks out, and tells the story, so that the plot is discovered.