The aggression of those who do evil is rarely a random outburst. Instead, it is a calculated and deliberate campaign aimed directly at the vulnerable and the righteous, utilizing both hidden and exposed tactics. When preparing for their assault, the wicked ready their swords. The primary approach among commentators understands this action as drawing the weapon from its sheath. Because a sheathed blade is considered closed, pulling it out is an act of opening, much like releasing a prisoner from confinement [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מאירי]. Others explain this readiness as the physical act of polishing and sharpening the blade for battle [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מאירי]. A different perspective suggests that this describes the very initiation of conflict; the wicked are the ones who proactively provoke the fight and start the war [רש״י].
The choice of weaponry reflects their varied strategies. While the sword is meant for an open, face-to-face confrontation, the bow represents a hidden threat, used to strike from a secret ambush [אבן עזרא]. Ultimately, all of these calculated preparations share a single, cruel goal: to strike down and kill the weak and defenseless [מצודת דוד, מאירי].
On a historical level, this calculated aggression connects to the War of the Four Kings in the book of Genesis. In this context, the wicked who initiate the violence are Nimrod and his royal allies. Their initial target, representing the weak and vulnerable, was Lot. However, capturing Lot was merely a strategic trap designed to draw out and slaughter the truly upright target, Abraham. The kings calculated that if they took Lot captive, Abraham would be forced to ride to his rescue, giving them the perfect opportunity to kill him. God allowed Nimrod to continue plotting against Abraham for many years without immediate punishment. He permitted this because He foresaw the future, having already decreed that Nimrod's ultimate downfall would occur in this exact war, defeated by Abraham's own hands [אלשיך].