Charles Ellicott Commentary Nehemiah 4:14

"And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, who is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses." — Nehemiah 4:14 (ASV)

And I looked. —It appears that the energetic appeal now described was uttered on the actual approach of an attacking party.