When a delegation of Jews from the community of returned exiles in Eretz Yisrael reported to Nechemia the troubles that these returnees faced from their hostile neighbors he took action on two fronts. First of all, he prayed to G-d for success in using his influence with the Persian king for whom he served as a top aide. Then he took advantage of this king’s inquiry about the sad look on his usually cheerful face to pour out his heart about the sad plight of his brothers in Eretz Yisrael. G-d blessed his efforts with success and he was able to go to Jerusalem with the king's backing and fortify the city’s walls as a defense against the enemy and to aid Ezra in spiritually fortifying the community.

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