King Artaxerxes appointed Nehemiah as his cup bearer. A cup bearer was a trusted servant who tasted the king's wine before he drank it to ensure that it was not poisoned. The position was considered one of great responsibility and trust, as the cup bearer was often the closest advisor to the king and had access to him at all times. In Nehemiah's case, this position gave him a unique opportunity to request permission from the king to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, which had been destroyed.