Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament · 2 Chronicles Chapter 26

Besides this, he provided Jerusalem with machines for defence on the towers and battlements. חשּׁבנות from השּׁבון , literally excogitata , i.e., machinae , with the addition “invention of the artificers,” are ingenious machines, and as we learn from the following וגו לירוא , slinging machines, similar or corresponding to the catapultae and ballistae of the Romans, by which arrows were shot and great stones propelled. Thus his name spread far abroad (cf. 2 Chronicles 26:8), for he was marvellously helped till he was strong.

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