The Work Ridiculed
1 Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews 2 before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves?4:2 Or Will they commit themselves to God? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?"
3 Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, "If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!"
Discouragement Overcome
9 So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night.
16 And 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 17 who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.
20 Wherever you hear the sound of the horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!"