Nehemiah 7:2 “That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.”
Hanani is a name we may recognize. He appears in chapter one verse two, informing Nehemiah of the state of Jerusalem.
It is his report of the city’s ruin that prompts Nehemiah to consider this wall-rebuilding project.
Another man, Hananiah, is in charge of the castle or fortress.
Together, they are appointed to rule over Jerusalem. Apparently, they each had charge of half the district.
With the walls now complete and the gates restored, Nehemiah contemplates a return to Shushan. Therefore, he entrusts his close relative, Hanani, and this faithful man, Hananiah, with the city’s management.
The faithfulness of its leaders will be important for the future safety and success of the city and its people.
Hananiah had a reverence for God that was uncommon at the time. This is a key consideration for the departing governor.
It should be top on the list of attributes for anyone entrusted with the leadership of God’s people, especially in times of difficulty and fierce opposition.
Nehemiah 7:2 “That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.”