Nehemiah 4:22 - Exposition

Every one, with his servant . The material condition of the people had much improved since the return under Zerubbabel. Then there was only one slave to every six Israelites ( Ezra 2:64 , Ezra 2:65 ); now every Israelite had his slave, and many no doubt a large number. Lodge within Jerusalem . i.e. "sleep" or "pass the night" there, instead of returning to their several villages or towns. That in the night they may be a guard to us . The very fact that they were in Jerusalem, and known to be there, would tend to prevent an attack; and if the enemy assaulted by night, they would be at hand, and able to take their part in guarding the work.