When did the conversation between Nehemiah and Artaxerxes in Nehemiah 2 happen?
The conversation occurred in the month of Nisan, which is April, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah presented wine to the king, and the king noticed his sad countenance, asking why he looked grieved though not sick, as recorded in Nehemiah 2:1.
Les explains that this scene follows the earlier return under Ezra, when about 42,000 went back to rebuild the temple. Nearly 100 years later, another group comes from Babylon to Jerusalem under King Artaxerxes. In Nehemiah 2:1, the conversation takes place in the month of Nisan (April), in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes, while wine was before the king. Nehemiah took up the wine and gave it to the king, though he had never before been sad in the king's presence. The king asks why his countenance is sad, noting he is not sick and that it is nothing but sorrow of heart. Nehemiah says he was sore afraid.
And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.