But in all this was not I at Jerusalem] The absence of a godly governour, for a little while, is abused to sin by priests and people, notwithstanding their solemn covenant, chap. 9. 38. and 10. 1. So Exod. 32. after certain days] Heb. at the end of days. After a full yeer: so the word is used, Exodus 13:10. Leviticus 25:29. obtained I] Heb. I was asked. Or, I earnestly requested. To wit, of the state of things at Jerusalem, and so let go back: or, I was asked of the king to go back. It may be Nehemiah durst not ask to go again, having been so long absent, but set some other to do it, upon whose motion, the king willed him to go back. Or, leave was gotten me.