Here we first meet with Nehemiah at the Persian court, where we find him, I. Inquisitive concerning the state of the Jews and Jerusalem, Neh. 1:1, 2. II. Informed of their deplorable condition, Neh. 1:3. III. Fasting and praying thereupon (Neh. 1:4), with a particular account of his prayer, Neh. 1:5-11. Such is the rise of this great man, by piety, not by policy.