One is a priest, one a Levite, one a layman of rank, and the fourth a scribe, ver.13.Nehemiah tells us why he selected these four men.

'They were counted faithful,' and as faithful men they could be thoroughly depended upon.
Now, having set the temple in order, Nehemiah proceeds to fight the battle with regard to the observance of the Sabbath.
Again he uses strong measures.

He once more speaks strongly and hotly to the nobles, for they had led the van in Sabbath desecration.

They liked the freshest fruit and the daintiest dishes for their Sabbath feast, and they had, therefore, encouraged the market-people to go on with their Sabbath trade.

Then, as now, there were plenty of people who, for their own self-pleasing, were ready to argue in favour of the loose observance of the fourth commandment.
Nehemiah reminds the nobles that the destruction of Jerusalem, the overthrow of that very city which they were taking so much trouble to rebuild, had all been brought about through desecration of the Sabbath day.
For what message had Jeremiah brought their fathers?
'If ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the Sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.' God's word had come true.