Surah An Naml Tafseer

And there were gathered before Suleiman his hosts of Jinn and men, and birds, and they all were set in battle order.

means, all of Suleiman's troops of Jinn, men and birds were gathered together, and he rode with them in a display of might and glory, with people marching behind him, followed by the Jinn, and the birds flying above his head. When it was hot, they would shade him with their wings.

فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ

and they all were set in battle order.

The first and the last of them were brought together, so that none of them would step out of place.

Mujahid said:

"Officials were appointed to keep each group in order, and to keep the first and the last together so that no one would step out of line -- just as kings do nowadays.