Nehemiah's Generosity

Nehemiah 5

¹⁴ Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year _l until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers _m ate the governor's provisions. ¹⁵ But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but _n I did not do so, because of the _o fear of God. ¹⁶ Indeed, I also continued the _p work on this wall, and ₁ we did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work. ¹⁷ And _q at my table were one hundred and fifty Jews and rulers, besides those who came to us from the nations around us. ¹⁸ Now that _r which was prepared daily was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine. Yet in spite of this _s I did not demand the governor's provisions, because the bondage was heavy on this people. ¹⁹ _t Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

1. Cross References
   Nehemiah 2:1
   And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before.
   Nehemiah 13:6
   But during all this I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Then after certain days I obtained leave from the king.
   
2. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 9:4 - 15
   Do we have no right to eat and drink?
   
3. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 11:9
   And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.
   2 Corinthians 12:13
   For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
   
4. Cross References
   Nehemiah 5:9
   Then I said, "What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?
   
5. Cross References
   Nehemiah 4:1
   But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
   Nehemiah 6:1
   Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates).
   
6. Cross References
   2 Samuel 9:7
   So David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.
   1 Kings 18:19
   "Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."
   
7. Cross References
   1 Kings 4:22
   Now Solomon's provision for one day was thirty kors of fine flour, sixty kors of meal.
   
8. Cross References
   Nehemiah 5:14
   Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor's provisions.
   Nehemiah 5:15
   But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
   
9. Cross References
   2 Kings 20:3
   Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
   Nehemiah 13:14
   Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!
   Nehemiah 13:22
   And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!
   Nehemiah 13:31
   And to bringing the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times. Remember me, O my God, for good!