John Gill Commentary Nehemiah 2:4

"Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven." — Nehemiah 2:4 (ASV)

Then the king said to me, for what do you 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.