Matthew Henry Commentary Nehemiah 6:1-9

"Now it came to pass, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and unto the rest of our enemies, that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though even unto that time I had not set up the doors in the gates;) that Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in [one of] the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? And they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, wherein was written, It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause thou art building the wall: and thou wouldest be their king, according to these words. And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together. Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart. For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. But now, [O God], strengthen thou my hands." — Nehemiah 6:1-9 (ASV)

Let those who are tempted to idle social gatherings by frivolous companions answer the temptation in this way: "We have work to do and must not neglect it." We must never allow ourselves to be overcome by persistent pressure to do anything sinful or imprudent; but when attacked with the same temptation, we must resist it with the same reason and resolution. It is common for what is desired only by the malicious to be falsely represented by them as desired by many.

But Nehemiah knew what they aimed at. He not only denied that such things were true but also that they were even reported; he was too well known to be suspected in this way. We must never omit any known duty for fear it might be misconstrued; but, while we keep a good conscience, let us trust God with our good name. God's people, though burdened with reproach, have not really fallen as low in reputation as some would have them perceived to be.

Nehemiah lifted up his heart to Heaven in a short prayer. When, in our Christian work and warfare, we begin any service or conflict, this is a good prayer: "I have such a duty to do, such a temptation to grapple with; now, therefore, O God, strengthen my hands." Every temptation to draw us from duty should spur us all the more to our duty.