Half of them held the spears For the use of every man, if there should be occasion. From the rising of the morning till the stars appeared Working very early and very late. Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem Not in the suburbs or adjoining villages, as probably many of them had done, returning thence to their work in the morning: but now he would have them all lodge in Jerusalem, for the greater security of the city; and in turns to watch by night, or work on the walls by day.
Related Commentaries of Nehemiah 4:21
Nehemiah 4:21-22
21 So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.