9Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days.It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month.And all the people sat in the open square before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain.
The open square was either in the outer court of the temple or more probably in the open space before the water gate (see Nehemiah 3:26; Nehemiah 8:1).
9 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month. And all the people sat in the open square before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain.