Some local non-Jewish officials were unhappy because rebuilding Jerusalem's walls would shift political power to the Jews.
Sanballat led the opposition to Nehemiah's rebuilding efforts.
the Horonite: He was likely from Upper or Lower Horon (Beth-horon, Joshua 16:3), about 19 kilometers (12 miles) northwest of Jerusalem. Sanballat's name suggests he might have descended from the Assyrians brought by Sargon II after Samaria's fall (2 Kings 17:24). A document found in Egypt shows he became Samaria's governor in 408 BC.