not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me. Beware of being negligent in carrying out this matter; why should damage increase to the detriment of the kings?” (Ezra 4:17b–22) So Artaxerxes believed Jerusalem to be a city of rebellion and put a stop to its being rebuilt. Given Artaxerxes’ troubles with insurrection in his empire and given what he has already expressed concerning his sentiments about Jerusalem, Nehemiah may fear Artaxerxes’ feelings about Jerusalem have not changed. But true courage