Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
While the land is yet before us - i:e., while we have free and undisputed progress everywhere; no foe is near; but, as this happy time of peace may not lest always, and the kingdom is but small and weak, let us prepare suitable defenses in case of need. He had also an army of 580,000 men. Judah furnished the heavy armed soldiers, and Benjamin the archers. This large number does not mean a body of professional soldiers, such as compose European armies, but all capable of bearing arms, and liable to be called into service.