In the book of Nehemiah chapter 1 verse 11, he said that he is ''cupbearer to the king''. Nehemiah had previously been a prisoner of King Artaxerxes when they conquered Jerusalem. But during the 20th year of King Artaxerxes's reign, Nehemiah was made the cup-bearer to the king. Cup- bearers or wine- bearers are those trusted aides of the kings who will take care of the king's drinks, even taste it so to prove that it isn't poisoned.
When he learned of the distress of the remaining Jewish people in Judah, he asked the king for help, to send him to help his people. The King accepted his request, making him Governor of Judah. He provided him with all provisions needed for the trip as well as the rebuilding of the land of Judah for the Jews, even giving authorial letter explaining his support for this venture and the permission to get timber from the King's forest. Thus, the city of Jerusalem was rebuilt under King Artaxerxes's support through Nehemiah.
