The words this man
refers to King Artaxerxes. This king had earlier put a halt to the reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem (Ezra 4:21). For Nehemiah now to ask the same king to reverse that decision inevitably involved considerable personal risk. Hence the plea to the Lord
to work in the heart of the king, that he might extend mercy to Nehemiah (see Proverbs 21:1).
11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”Now I was cupbearer to the king.