Structure of Nehemiah 1.1-2.8

I’ve come to the conclusion that Nehemiah 1.1-2.8 is a suitable preaching unit. The passage has a common geography. Its events take place in Susa. It is only in 2.9 that Nehemiah leaves Susa for Jerusalem. The passage divides neatly into two sections, which will give me my two points. The first section, if you like, takes place before the king of heaven. The second takes place before the king of Persia.

1.1-1.11	2.1-2.8
The necessity of prayer	The sovereignty of God
Month of Chislev in the 20th year (1.1)	Month of Nisan in the 20th year (2.1)
Nehemiah hears that Jerusalem is broken down and its gates destroyed by fire, so he is sad (1.3-4)	Nehemiah explains that he is sad because the city is lies in ruins and its gates are destroyed by fire (2.1-3)
Nehemiah makes requests of God (1.5-11)	Nehemiah makes requests of Artaxerxes (2.5-8)
Nehemiah prays to God that he would be successful and that God would grant him mercy in the sight of the king (1.11)	The king grants what Nehemiah asks because God’s good hand is upon him