Each builder worked with a sword hanging by his side; each porter held a hod in one hand, and a weapon in the other.

They were always on the alert, ever ready for action.
Nehemiah had brought with him from Shushan a large following of faithful servants or slaves; on these he could thoroughly rely.

He divided them into two parties, half worked at the building, filling up the gaps left by those who had returned home; the rest stood behind them, guarding the weapons, the shields, and the spears, and the bows, and the swords which were laid ready for immediate use.

By Nehemiah's side stood a trumpeter, ready to blow an alarm at the first sight or sound of the enemy.
For, says Nehemiah, 'I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.

In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.' So the work and the watching went on all day long, and when the sun set over the Mediterranean, and the stars came out in the quiet sky, and darkness made the work impossible, still the watching went on as before.
Those who had laboured at the building all day lay down and slept, whilst others kept guard on the wall.