14 Moreover , from the day that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah , from the twentieth year to the thirty-second e year of King Artaxerxes , for twelve e years , neither I nor my kinsmen have eaten the governor's food allowance. 15 But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver ; even their servants domineered the people . But I did not do so because e of the fear of God . 16 I also applied myself to the work on this wall ; we did not buy any land , and all my servants were gathered there for the work . 17 Moreover, there were at my table one hundred and fifty Jews and officials , besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 Now that which was prepared for each day was one ox and six choice sheep , also birds were prepared for me; and once in ten days all sorts of wine were furnished in abundance . Yet for all this I did not demand the governor's food allowance, because the servitude was heavy on this people . 19 Remember me, O my God , for good , according to all that I have done for this people .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:14-19

Commentary on Nehemiah 5:14-19

(Read Nehemiah 5:14-19)

Those who truly fear God, will not dare to do any thing cruel or unjust. Let all who are in public places remember that they are so placed to do good, not to enrich themselves. Nehemiah mentions it to God in prayer, not as if he had merited any favour from God, but to show that he depended upon God only, to make up to him what he had lost and laid out for his honour. Nehemiah evidently spake and acted as one that knew himself to be a sinner. He did not mean to claim a reward as of debt, but in the manner that the Lord rewards a cup of cold water given to a disciple for his sake. The fear and love of God in the heart, and true love of the brethren, will lead to every good work. These are proper evidences of justifying faith; and our reconciled God will look upon persons of this character for good, according to all they have done for his people.