Matthew Poole and continuators on Nehemiah 4:16

16 And it came to pass from that time forth , that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons ; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah .

Le[illegible: 1+ letters]t our enemies should repeat their enterprize.

Of my domestick servants, and of my guards, who should have attended upon my own person.

i. e. All their weapons: they stood in their arms prepared for battel.

Partly to encourage them in their work, and sometimes to assist with their own hands: and partly to direct and command them in case of an assault.

i. e. The Jews who were upon the wall.