 Nehemiah is narrative history. It is written by Nehemiah to record the events of returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding the walls. The temple had been rebuilt but there was no protection for the city from further attack. Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king and received permission to travel to Jerusalem and organize a city-wide construction crew. He accomplished this goal within a few weeks. The book of Nehemiah is divided into two main sections. The first seven chapters recount the 52-day project and the final six chapters show the Israelites re-establishing themselves as a nation.