The Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 4:22

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Every one, with his servant. The material condition of the people had much improved since the return under Zerubbabel. Then there was only one slave to every six Israelites (Ezra 2:64, Ezra 2:65); now every Israelite had his slave, and many no doubt a large number.

Lodge within Jerusalem. i.e. "sleep" or "pass the night" there, instead of returning to their several villages or towns. That in the night they may be a guard to us. The very fact that they were in Jerusalem, and known to be there, would tend to prevent an attack; and if the enemy assaulted by night, they would be at hand, and able to take their part in guarding the work.

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