16And from that day on, half of my servants did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers stationed themselves behind all the people of Judah
17who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.
18And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.
— Nehemiah 4:16-18