According to Wikipedia, a cup-bearer was an officer of high rank in royal courts, whose duty it was to serve the drinks at the royal table. On account of the constant fear of plots and intrigues, a person must be regarded as thoroughly trustworthy to hold this position. He must guard against poison in the king's cup, and was sometimes required to swallow some of the wine before serving it. His confidential relations with the king often gave him a position of great influence. The position of cup bearer is greatly valued and given to only a select few throughout history. Qualifications for the job were not held lightly but of high esteem valued for their beauty and even more for their modesty, industriousness and courage.
Nehemiah was all of these things and even more. He was fully aware of God's might and the reason the Israelites found themselves in exile. He was also brokenhearted and contrite before God. When he heard the report that the Israelites who had returned from exile earlier were in great trouble and that Jerusalem's walls were broken down, he sat down and wept, then mourned, fasted and prayed for days.
"O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. - Nem. 1:4-7 NIV
When the king saw that Nehemiah was so downcast, he asked what was wrong. The interesting thing about Nehemiah's response is that he prayed to God before he gave the king an answer. It doesn't say that he went into his room and prayed, only that he prayed. Nehemiah was constantly aware of his God. He knew that it was God that gave him favor with the king. He also knew that it was God who was behind his desire to rebuild the gates and the walls of Jerusalem. Even Sanballat and Tobiah, with their ridicule and mockery, and later their threats to fight the Israelites and priests doing the restoration, could not discourage him. A lesser man might have been tempted to give up, but not Nehemiah. Not only was he a trusted servant to king Artaxerxes, but he was a trusted servant of God. He knew he had to guard against the poison of those who wanted to prevent Jerusalem from being restored. He was cupbearer to The King.
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