Nehemiah 4:16

And it came to pass from that time forth ,.... That they were thus alarmed of danger from their enemies:

that the half of my servants wrought in the work ; of building the wall; his domestic servants, his guards, or mighty men, as Jarchi, men of war, the soldiers:

and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows ; some offensive, others defensive weapons; some to fight with at a distance, others near at hand:

and the habergeons ; coats of mail, which they took and clothed themselves with:

and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah ; the Jews that were working at the wall, to animate and encourage them, protect and defend them.