Nehemiah 12:28
And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi; And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;
Nehemiah 12:28 records part of the gathering for the dedication of Jerusalem's restored wall under Nehemiah after the return from the Babylonian captivity. The dedication came after Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem following several months at the court of the king of Persia, when the wall had at last been finished through troublous times. Priests, Levites, and singers were brought in great numbers from the cities, the villages, and the plain country of Judah to take a leading part in the dedication, including the sons of the singers gathered together from the plain country round about Jerusalem and from the villages of Netophathi.
The dedication was kept with gladness, with thanksgiving and singing accompanied by cymbals, psalteries, and harps. The priests and Levites purified themselves and purified the people, great sacrifices were offered, and all rejoiced because God had made them rejoice, with wives and children joining in the rejoicing so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. Sacrifices and offerings belong almost inseparably with thanksgiving, and material giving is its really practical feature, so the example of the people at Jerusalem provides an excellent pattern for a Thanksgiving program.