13 "Then survivors came down to the nobles ; The people of the Lord came down to me as warriors . 14 "From Ephraim those whose root is in Amalek came down, Following you, Benjamin , with your peoples ; From Machir commanders came down , And from Zebulun those who wield the staff of office . 15 "And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah ; As was Issachar , so was Barak ; Into the valley they rushed at his heels ; Among the divisions of Reuben There were great resolves of heart . 16 "Why did you sit among the sheepfolds , To hear the piping for the flocks ? Among the divisions of Reuben There were great searchings of heart . 17 " Gilead remained across the Jordan ; And why did Dan stay in ships ? Asher sat at the seashore e , And remained by its landings . 18 " Zebulun was a people who despised their lives even to death , And Naphtali also, on the high places of the field . 19 " The kings came and fought ; Then fought the kings of Canaan At Taanach near the waters of Megiddo ; They took no plunder in silver . 20 " The stars fought from heaven , From their courses they fought against Sisera . 21 "The torrent of Kishon swept them away , The ancient torrent , the torrent Kishon . O my soul , march on with strength . 22 " Then the horses' hoofs beat From the dashing , the dashing of his valiant steeds . 23 'Curse Meroz ,' said the angel of the Lord , 'Utterly curse its inhabitants ; Because they did not come to the help of the Lord , To the help of the Lord against the warriors .'
24 " Most blessed of women is Jael , The wife of Heber the Kenite ; Most blessed is she of women in the tent . 25 "He asked for water and she gave him milk ; In a magnificent bowl she brought him curds . 26 "She reached out her hand for the tent peg , And her right hand for the workmen's hammer . Then she struck Sisera , she smashed his head ; And she shattered and pierced his temple . 27 "Between her feet he bowed , he fell , he lay ; Between her feet he bowed , he fell ; Where he bowed , there he fell dead . 28 "Out of the window she looked and lamented , The mother of Sisera through the lattice , 'Why does his chariot delay in coming ? Why do the hoofbeats of his chariots tarry ?' 29 "Her wise princesses would answer her, Indeed she repeats her words to herself, 30 ' Are they not finding , are they not dividing the spoil ? A maiden , two maidens for every warrior ; To Sisera a spoil of dyed work , A spoil of dyed work embroidered , Dyed work of double embroidery on the neck of the spoiler ?' 31 " Thus let all Your enemies perish , O Lord ; But let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might ." And the land was undisturbed for forty years .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 5:13-31
Commentary on Judges 5:12-23
(Read Judges 5:12-23)
Deborah called on her own soul to be in earnest. He that will set the hearts of other men on fire with the love of Christ, must himself burn with love. Praising God is a work we should awake to, and awake ourselves unto. She notices who fought against Israel, who fought for them, and who kept away. Who fought against them. They were obstinate enemies to God's people, therefore the more dangerous. Who fought for them. The several tribes that helped are here spoken of with honour; for though God is above all to be glorified, those who are employed must have their due praise, to encourage others. But the whole creation is at war with those to whom God is an enemy. The river of Kishon fought against their enemies. At most times it was shallow, yet now, probably by the great rain that fell, it was so swelled, and the stream so deep and strong, that those who attempted to pass, were drowned. Deborah's own soul fought against them. When the soul is employed in holy exercises, and heart-work is made of them, through the grace of God, the strength of our spiritual enemies will be trodden down, and will fall before us. She observes who kept away, and did not side with Israel, as might have been expected. Thus many are kept from doing their duty by the fear of trouble, the love of ease, and undue affection to their worldly business and advantage. Narrow, selfish spirits care not what becomes of God's church, so that they can but get, keep, and save money. All seek their own, Philippians 2:21. A little will serve those for a pretence to stay at home, who have no mind to engage in needful services, because there is difficulty and danger in them. But we cannot keep away from the contest between the Lord and his enemies; and if we do not actively endeavour to promote his cause in this wicked world, we shall fall under the curse against the workers of iniquity. Though He needs no human help, yet he is pleased to accept the services of those who improve their talents to advance his cause. He requires every man to do so.
Commentary on Judges 5:24-31
(Read Judges 5:24-31)
Jael had a special blessing. Those whose lot is cast in the tent, in a low and narrow sphere, if they serve God according to the powers he has given them, shall not lose their reward. The mother of Sisera looked for his return, not in the least fearing his success. Let us take heed of indulging eager desires towards any temporal good, particularly toward that which cherishes vain-glory, for that was what she here doted on. What a picture does she present of an ungodly and sensual heart! How shameful and childish these wishes of an aged mother and her attendants for her son! And thus does God often bring ruin on his enemies when they are most puffed up. Deborah concludes with a prayer to God for the destruction of all his foes, and for the comfort of all his friends. Such shall be the honour, and joy of all who love God in sincerity, they shall shine for ever as the sun in the firmament.