Definition: And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which [appertained] to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 2:8 together. It’s a really important passage about leadership and responsibility! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Situation: Nehemiah is requesting wood. Nehemiah was the governor of Jerusalem at this time, and he needed wood to build things for the city – specifically, the gates, walls, and a house for him. Asaph is the keeper of the king’s forest. This man was responsible for managing the woods near the palace. He had a large supply of timber there. The King Granted Him: The king (King Solomon) allowed Nehemiah to take some of Asaph’s wood. Putting it all together – what's happening? This verse describes a situation where Nehemiah is being entrusted with a task by the king – to build things for the city. He’s essentially being given a job to use Asaph’s timber. The Significance: Leadership and Responsibility: This shows that Nehemiah was trusted with important duties, indicating he had the right skills and authority to handle them. God's Favor: The phrase “according to the good hand of my God upon me” is a really powerful part of the verse. It suggests that God has given him permission and blessing for this task. It’s like saying "by God’s will, I am allowed to do this." In essence, it's a story about being entrusted with a job and receiving divine approval for doing something important. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Explore what this verse might teach us about leadership or responsibility?