John Gill 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)

And it came to pass from that time forth
That they were thus alarmed of danger from their enemies:

that the half of my servants wrought in the work ;
of building the wall; his domestic servants, his guards, or mighty men, as Jarchi, men of war, the soldiers:

and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the
bows ;
some offensive, others defensive weapons; some to fight with at a distance, others near at hand:

and the habergeons ;
coats of mail, which they took and clothed themselves with:

and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah ;
the Jews that were working at the wall, to animate and encourage them, protect and defend them.