The builders work with weapons at hand
Mockery became a conspiracy to attack Jerusalem, so Nehemiah prayed, posted guards, and stationed families with weapons. Half the men worked while half stood armed, and each builder carried a sword as the trumpeter remained near Nehemiah (Nehemiah 4:1-23).
1Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews 2before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” 3Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”
