Nehemiah 4:16-20

Nehemiah decided to change the arrangements for the work. He wanted to make sure that everybody was ready for an attack.

Now, even the men who worked on the wall had their own *weapons. But only half of the men worked on the wall. The other men were ready to fight. They had many *weapons. Their job was to protect the builders.

Nehemiah would walk round the city in order to check the progress of the work. But now, a man with a *trumpet walked with Nehemiah. So, if the enemies came to attack them, the man would blow his *trumpet. If the people heard the sound of the *trumpet, they would all stop work immediately. They would rush to come together. Then they would be able to protect each other.

Nehemiah reminded the people again that God was supporting them. They were doing God’s work, and God would fight for them.

v21 So we continued to work, but now half of the men carried *spears. We worked from dawn until the stars appeared at nightfall. v22 At that time I also said to the people, ‘Each man and his servant should spend the night in Jerusalem. Then they will act as guards by night, and as workmen during the day.’ v23 I did not even undress at night. My companions, my servants and my guards all behaved in the same way. And each man kept his *weapon ready, even when he went for water.