From that time forth, lest our enemies should repeat their enterprise. The half of my servants; of my domestic servants, and of my guards, who should have attended upon my own person. The spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons, i.e. all their weapons; they stood in their arms prepared for battle. The rulers were behind all; partly to encourage them in their work, and sometimes to assist with their own hands; and partly to direct and command them in case of an assault. The house of Judah, i.e. the Jews who were upon the wall.
Related Commentaries of Nehemiah 4:16
Nehemiah 4:16
16 And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.