John Calvin Commentary Nahum 2:5

"He remembereth his nobles: they stumble in their march; they make haste to the wall thereof, and the mantelet is prepared." — Nahum 2:5 (ASV)

Some interpreters also explain this as referring to the Chaldeans: The king of Babylon then will remember his mighty men; that is, he will recount his forces and whatever strength he has under his power. He will gather all this to wage war against Nineveh and the Assyrians. Others think that there is a transposition of words here (which is too strained), “Mighty men will remember,” as if it were a change in number.

But I take the words of the Prophet simply as they are — that he will remember mighty men; but this, as I think, refers to the Assyrians. He then, that is, either the king of Nineveh or the people, will remember the mighty men; that is, he will gather his forces from every quarter and will omit nothing that could aid in defense, as is usually done in great danger and in extreme situations. For they were then known as warlike men; and everyone who had any skill, everyone who was endowed with courage, everyone who was trained in arms — all these were mustered so that they could provide help.

So then the Prophet says that such would be the dread in the land of Assyria that they would gather whatever force they had to defend themselves against their enemies. The king then shall remember his mighty men; that is, he will muster all the reinforcements within his reach.

Then he says, They shall stumble in their march; that is, the mighty men, when gathered, will tremble and stumble like the blind. This will be caused by fear, so that like astounded men, they will move to and fro and have no certain footing. The Prophet then declares two things here: that the Assyrians would be diligent in gathering forces to repel the assault of their enemies — but that they would still achieve nothing, for trembling would seize the minds of all, so that mighty men would stumble in their marches.

They shall stumble, and then it is said, they shall hasten to its wall; that is, they will ascend the wall. And it is added, Prepared shall be the covering, as is usual in defending cities. Some apply this to the Chaldeans: prepared shall be the covering; that is, when they come to the wall. It was indeed usual, as is well known from histories, for those who approached a wall to defend themselves either with turrets or hurdles. But the Prophet, I doubt not, intimates that the Assyrians would come with great trembling to meet their enemies, but without any success. However they might defend themselves, their enemies would still prevail. He therefore adds—