Charles Spurgeon Commentary Nehemiah 4:16

"And it came to pass from that time forth, that half of my servants wrought in the work, and half of them held the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the coats of mail; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah." — Nehemiah 4:16 (ASV)

They who built on the wall, and they who bore burdens, with those who loaded—every one engaged in the work with one of his hands, and with the other hand held a weapon. The sword and the trowel both guarded the city and built the wall.