MPV Commentary

7-21. When Sanballat and his allies heard that the walls were being rebuilt and the breaches stopped, they became enraged. Fearing the growing strength of the Jews, they conspired to attack them, destroy their work, and scatter or intimidate the builders. However, when Nehemiah discovered their plot, he took decisive action to ensure the safety of the people and the uninterrupted construction of the walls.

Up until this point, Nehemiah had assigned all his attendants and guards to work on the wall, but now he withdrew half of them to be constantly on guard. The workers labored with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other, as they were spread out over a large area. To ensure that help could quickly reach any detachment of workers who might be attacked, Nehemiah kept a trumpeter by his side at all times.

Through these vigilant precautions, the enemy's plans were thwarted, and the work continued to progress rapidly. God raised up Nehemiah as an instrument for accomplishing this important public work. With his natural acuteness, energy, fervent piety, and heroic devotion, he proved to be a leader uniquely fitted for the crisis. His vigilance anticipated every difficulty, and his prudent measures defeated every obstacle, ultimately making Jerusalem "a city fortified" once again.