Nehemiah chose the moment very carefully before approaching the king. Good leaders understand that timing plays a decisive role. Nehemiah spoke to the king about his concern, but not on the day in December when he first heard about it — rather, four months later, in April. The reasons for his waiting are varied, and no one knows them exactly, but perhaps it was because ...
- he first needed to make the challenge his own
- he laid a foundation for the assignment in prayer
- he needed his own preparation in the form of a plan
- he was looking for a moment when the king was in good physical and mental condition
- he was waiting for the season of the year when he could act quickly
- he wanted the relationship between himself and the king to deepen further
Nehemiah 2:1-5
Nehemiah Travels to Jerusalem
1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.
Bible passage