7 Now when Sanballat , Tobiah , the Arabs , the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed , they were very angry . 8 All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause a disturbance in it. 9 But we prayed to our God , and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night . 10 Thus in Judah it was said , "The strength of the burden bearers is failing , Yet there is much rubbish ; And we ourselves are unable e To rebuild the wall ." 11 Our enemies said , "They will not know or see until e we come among e them, kill them and put a stop to the work ." 12 When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times , "They will come up against us from every place where you may turn ," 13 then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall , the exposed places , and I stationed the people in families with their swords , spears and bows . 14 When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles , the officials and the rest of the people : " Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome , and fight for your brothers , your sons , your daughters , your wives and your houses ." 15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan , then all of us returned to the wall , each one to his work .
16 From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears , the shields , the bows and the breastplates ; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah . 17 Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon . 18 As for the builders , each wore his sword girded at his side as he built , while the trumpeter e stood near me. 19 I said to the nobles , the officials and the rest of the people , "The work is great and extensive , and we are separated on the wall far from one another . 20 "At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet , rally to us there . Our God will fight for us." 21 So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn e until the stars appeared . 22 At that time I also said to the people , "Let each man with his servant spend the night within Jerusalem so that they may be a guard for us by night and a laborer by day ." 23 So neither I, my brothers , my servants , nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes , each took his weapon even to the water .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:7-23
Commentary on Nehemiah 4:7-15
(Read Nehemiah 4:7-15)
The hindering good work is what bad men aim at, and promise themselves success in; but good work is God's work, and it shall prosper. God has many ways of bringing to light, and so of bringing to nought, the devices and designs of his church's enemies. If our enemies cannot frighten us from duty, or deceive us into sin, they cannot hurt us. Nehemiah put himself and his cause under the Divine protection. It was the way of this good man, and should be our way. All his cares, all his griefs, all his fears, he spread before God. Before he used any means, he made his prayer to God. Having prayed, he set a watch against the enemy. If we think to secure ourselves by prayer, without watchfulness, we are slothful, and tempt God; if by watchfulness, without prayer, we are proud, and slight God: either way, we forfeit his protection. God's care of our safety, should engage and encourage us to go on with vigour in our duty. As soon as a danger is over, let us return to our work, and trust God another time.
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.