Bede

The people stood in their place. For when leaders strive as much to excel their subjects in good works as they do in honor, then these same subjects, incited by their good examples, already follow the course of their own lives devotedly; admonished by their pious exhortations, they delight in frequently shedding tears for their admitted errors, or even for the desires of the heavenly homeland. Hence it is fittingly added here:

Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah ↗