In 445 BC, King Artaxerxes sent Nehemiah, his trusted cupbearer, to Jerusalem. Artaxerxes favored both Ezra and Nehemiah. When Nehemiah heard about the plight of his people, he became melancholy and felt he must do something. Nehemiah was especially disturbed that Jerusalem’s walls were in ruin; perhaps he was also disturbed because he lived in the fortified city of Susa, which served as the capitol of Persia. (Susa is mentioned in Esther 1:2, 5; 2:3, 5.) Nehemiah prayed to the Lord. He also made use of the civil position the Lord granted him to benefit his people.

Nehemiah obtained permission from King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem. Nehemiah was part of the third wave of returnees. He became the governor of the area. In many ways, Nehemiah is a continuation of the story that began in the Book of Ezra.