The large number of soldiers mobilized to attack a city that isn’t very big highlights the imbalance of power between Assyria, which they rely on completely, and the limited military goal (10). Verses 9-15 contrast with Achior’s speech. While this man advises Holofernes against the attack, we see the practical advice of a local resident who will likely surrender the city and its people to the Assyrians. The threat of falling under Holofernes’s control peaks with the water shortage in the city and the resulting uprising of the people (20-29), which also brings to mind the rebellions in the desert (cf. Ex 15:22-24; 16:2f; 17:2f).