16 yea, it cometh to pass, from that day, half of my servants are working in the business, and half of them are keeping hold of both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the coats of mail; and the heads 'are' behind all the house of Judah. 17 The builders on the wall, and the bearers of the burden, those lading, 'each' with one of his hands is working in the business, and one is laying hold of the missile. 18 And the builders 'are' each with his sword, girded on his loins, and building, and he who is blowing with a trumpet 'is' beside me. 19 And I say unto the freemen, and unto the prefects, and unto the rest of the people, 'The work is abundant, and large, and we are separated on the wall, far off one from another; 20 in the place that ye hear the voice of the trumpet thither ye are gathered unto us; our God doth fight for us.' 21 And we are working in the business, and half of them are keeping hold of the spears, from the going up of the dawn till the coming forth of the stars. 22 Also, at that time I said to the people, 'Let each with his servant lodge in the midst of Jerusalem, and they have been to us by night a guard, and by day 'for' the work:' 23 and there are none—I and my brethren and my servants, the men of the guard who 'are' after me—there are none of us putting off our garments, each 'hath' his vessel of water.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:16-23

Commentary on Nehemiah 4:16-23

(Read Nehemiah 4:16-23)

We must watch always against spiritual enemies, and not expect that our warfare will be over till our work is ended. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit, which we ought to have always at hand, and never to have to seek for it, either in our labours, or in our conflicts, as Christians. Every true Christian is both a labourer and a soldier, working with one hand, and fighting with the other. Good work is likely to go on with success, when those who labour in it, make a business of it. And Satan fears to assault the watchful Christian; or, if attacked, the Lord fights for him. Thus must we wait to the close of life, never putting off our armour till our work and warfare are ended; then we shall be welcomed to the rest and joy of our Lord.