long Nehemiah had persisted in fasting and prayer (cf. 1:4). It was four months since the news had reached him. Now his praying had reached the point recorded in 1:11, the time for action. Perhaps, as many have suggested, his alarm at the king’s comment on his dejection sprang from sudden awareness of a breach of etiquette—for a servant’s private feelings are usually best kept to himself, especially if they will strike a jarring note. But while this makes good sense, the reason surely lies deeper.