The people of Judah approved of his plan, but there was resistance from instigators among the Samaritans, the Ammonites, the Ashdodites, and others. These troublemakers used insults and lies and threats of violence. As a result, all of the Jewish men carried weapons as they worked on the wall.

Despite these difficulties, the wall went up piece by piece until, fifty-two days later, all the gaps were filled in, and the gates were erected.