Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah, a Jew serving as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in the Persian capital of Susa, receives devastating news. His brother Hanani reports that the Jewish remnant in Jerusalem is in great distress, and the walls of Jerusalem are broken down and the gates are burned. Nehemiah is heartbroken. He weeps, fasts, and prays to God, confessing the sins of Israel and reminding God of the promise to gather His people if they return to Him. Nehemiah asks God for favor with the King to be sent to rebuild the city.