Judges 5

Judges 5:23-25

15. 23. And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites. 24. ¶ And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take befive them the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan. 25. And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they flew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and and Zeeb they flew at the wine-packs of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan. Ple. v. 25. Rev. cit. 19. The victory was quickly blazed; the men of Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh, hulten to the pursuit; probably the last body which was dismissed, waited to see the event, at no great distance; and even the cowards, who departed for fear, now dare to pursue a flying enemy. Mean time Gideon dipatches particular messengers to the Ephraimites, who were marred Jordan, to seize the sords, that no Midianites might escape; they instantly arm and obey him, and into their hands two chief commanders of the hoffs of Midian fell, Oreb and Zeeb, whom they flew, and brought their heads to Gideon, giving their names to the places where they were put to death, in remembrance of this glorious day. Note, (1.) We should be always ready to lend God’s people a helping hand. (2.) ‘Tis in vain to fly from the decree of God. (3.) We should let up always our grateful memorial, whenever we receive mercies from God, for the confirmation of our faith in future exiproves, and to awaken continual returns of thankfulness for past savours.

Judges 5:24-27

This chapter contains the triumphant song of Deborah and Barak for this signal victory. 1. They begin with praise to God, ver. 2, 3. 2. Compare his appearances on this occasion, with his appearance on mount Sinai, ver. 4, 5. 3. Magnify this deliverance from their calamitous condition, ver. 6—8. 4. Call upon those to join in praise, that shared in the benefits of the success, ver. 9—13. 5. Reflect honour upon those that were forward, and digitate on those that were backward in the service, ver. 14—19, 23. 6. Take notice how God himself fought for them, ver. 20—28. 7. Celebrate You, that few Sifera, ver. 24—30. 8. Conclude with a prayer to God, ver. 31.

1. THEN ‘sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abraham, on that day, saying, 2. Praise to the LORD for the ‘avenging of Israel, when the people ‘willingly offered themselves. 3. ‘Hear, O ye kings give ear, O ye princes; I, now I, will sing unto the LORD, I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. 4. LORD, when thou ‘wenteft out of Seir, when thou marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled,

bled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. 5. The mountains + melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.

9. 1—5. The grateful heart of Deborah, big with thankfulness, in strains more sublime, more tender, than Sapho or Homer ever long, under the guidance of the true infirm, of the state and leads the long among the victorious hofts of Israel, on that day, either the very day of battle, or on occasion of it, in some future solemnity. Barak and the people with joy united their voices, and praised with her the glorious God of faith. Note, Praise is comely, and as pleasing to God as comfortable to ourselves.

10. She opens with exaltation, Praise ye the Lord; and abundant reason is given, in the wondrous interposition which appeared when vengeance overtook their enemies. As God, after such a length of deferred servitude, had in mercy again stirred up the people’s hearts to shake off the galling yoke, therefore to Him, the Lord Jehovah, the God of irresistible power, the Lord God of Israel, their covenant God, I, so bound in duty, so filled with gratitude, I, even I, will sing. Note, God must have all the glory of his own work; however he also instruments, yet the praise for the success is purely his own.

11. She demands attention from the great ones of the earth, whether the neighbouring kings and princes, who should hear and tremble, or the great men of Israel, who should rejoice with her.

12. She describes the glorious appearances of God in time past, when as Sinai the mountain trembled, and a mighty tempel was stirred up round about him; or when invading the country of Silsom, such terror went before them, that the hearts of the people shook with fear: their nobles, compared to the heavens, were weak as water, and the kings of Canaan, though high as the mountains, melted before the ark of God. He is still the same, wonderful in power, and glorious in majesty, his people’s safeguard, his enemies destroyer.

13. In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the high-ways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through by-ways. 7. The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that Deborah arose, that I arise a mother in Israel. 8. They chose new gods; then our war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? 9. My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people: Bless ye the LORD. 10. Speak ye that ride on white ashes, ye that fit in judgment, and walk by the way. 11. They that are delivered from the noble of archers in the places of drawing water; there shall they rehears the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts towards the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.

14. 6—11. Deborah proceeds, in her triumphant song.

15. To describe the wretched flare to which Israel was reduced, from the days of Shamgar, to the days of Jael, who had lately so liquidated herself. During twenty years nothing was seen but ravages and defolation. Infected with robbers, the high-ways were unsafe to travel: all trade was dispensed, all tillage neglected; the villages were deferred for fear of their plunderers, and incursions made even to the gates of the city; so that going forth to draw water was dangerous: the administration of justice was interrupted, and they, either disarmed by their oppressors, or negligent and cowardly, had not a sufficient number of swords and spears left to arm even forty thousand of the numerous hofts of Israel; or, as it may signify, not one in forty thousand had arms to defend themselves. Yet, worse than all this, and what more contributed to their ruin, they forsook God, who alone could help them; and, as if the former idols were not enough, they chose new ones, to increase their abominations. Note, No wonder they who foresee God, are forsaken by him.

16. She mentions with delight the deliverance God had wrought by her means; not out of pride, or vain conceit of her work or agency in it, but to the glory of God, who had enabled her for, and called her to the blessed service. Herein the acknowledges the ready assistance of those governors, who willingly offered themselves to fight the Lord’s battles. Her heart was towards them in love for their fidelity, and drawn out to God in praise, for having inclined them to follow her. Note, They justly deserve the regard of man, who boldly stand up for the cause of God.

17. She enjoins the several ranks of men to praise God for the happy change. The nobles, who were distinguished by riding on white ashes; the judges, that far in the gate; the plowmans, that now securely broke the sod; the travellers, that safely trod

the lately unoccupied path; the drawer of water, that drank before at the peril of his life; all must unite their hearts and voices to adore the great Deliverer, and to bless the Lord, who had done for them such marvellous things. Note, Every man in his Station hath peculiar mercies to be thankful for.

Before Chall 1000.

12. • Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a long: arise, Barak, and * lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam. 13. Then he made him that remained have dominion over the nobles among the people: The LORD made me have dominion over the mighty. 14. Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee Benjamin, among thy people: out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that + handle the pen of the writer. 15. And the princes of Ilfachar were with Deborah: even Ilfachar, and also Barak, he was sent on foot into the valley: for the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. 16. Why abode’d thou among the fleety-folds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? for the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. 17. Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? After continued on the sea-throw, and abode in his breaches. 18. Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that * jeopardized their lives unto the death, in the high places of the field. 19. The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo, they took no gain of money. 20. * They fought from heaven, the stars in their courses fought against Sifera. 21. The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon: O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. 22. Then were * the horfe-booth broken, by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones. 23. Curfe ye Meroz, (fuld the angel of the LORD) curfe ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof: because they came out * to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.

13. 12—23. Deborah proceeding in her seraphic song, kindles as she recites the righteous acts of the Lord, and calls up all the faculties of her soul, to stretch their utmost powers in uttering his praise. Let Barak now arise, and lead the captive nobles of Canaan bound to his chariot wheels, and let the means of the Israelites, who have survived their oppressors, trample on the rocks of the mighty: yea, Deborah herself, though a woman, shall triumph in the dominion God hath given her. With just praise the mentions the brave warri is who assisted her, with wonder the mighty foes who fell before them, and with just indignation flamps with infamy the coward tribes that sat unconcerned (perfection of the war).

14. She praises Ephraim and Benjamin, for thence was the root and foundation of this expedition; and they seem to have detached a body to fall upon the Amalekites, who were Jabin’s confederates, and advancing to reinforce his army. Machir supplied valiant officers: and Zebulun, turned for penmanship, laid down the quill to grasp the sword. Ilfachar too sent princes, men of courage and difficulties, to join their brethren, and fought on foot in the midst of danger: but Zebulun and Naphtali especially distinguished themselves: out of them the chief part of the army was railed. They, as they had been nearer Jabin’s kingdom, and had most severely felt his yoke, were the most determinedly resolved to assert their liberty, or perish in the attempt. Yet all these united forces were the least part of their strength: the stars in their courses fought against Sifera. Either the angelic hofts of heaven appeared, or thunders and lightnings, from and tempel, burst upon them, as armed instruments of divine vengeance. They disbanded the army, and frightened their warlike deeds, till, entangled in their harmless, their very hoods were broken with their prancings. Nor had they where to flee to; the waters of Kishon swept away those who attempted to ford its rapid stream. Thus was the strength of Israel’s enemies trodden down, and Deborah’s soul triumphed. Note, (1.) They who are zealous for God, shall assuredly hear of it shortly to their everlasting honour. (2.) When we go to war against the enemies of our souls, we need be determined, since conquered or death eternal must be the issue. (3.) The whole creation is aimed to avenge God’s quarrel against his own and his people’s enemies.

15. The enemies they combated with were warlike, numerous, and inveterate in their hatred against Israel. Amalek, their sworn foe, and the kings of Canaan who yet remained, came with hearty readiness to serve under Sifera’s banners, and fight against their common enemy. They served not for pay, but voluntarily engaged in humbling Israel, in hope to be enriched with their spoil, but were disappointed of their expected gain. Note, The world, like these confederates, are ever closely linked

Phil. fol. Phil. Isevil. 12.

linked against the children of God, and they hate them with a bitter hatred.

2. Deborah justly stigmatizes those, who refused to lend a helping hand in the glorious work.—Reuben stands first in the trandgertion: torn with interline divisions, they were wholly occupied at home, or separated from their brethren in affection, as much as by their situation they were content to fix still, to the grief of those who beheld their ungenerous conduct. Their worldly concerns engrossed their regard; the bleating of their sheep was better made than the trump of war; and as they were distant from the scene of oppression, they cared too little for their brethren’s sufferings. Nate, Sallith worldly spirits are so wrapped up in pursuit of their own little intereils, that they care not to trouble themselves about the cause of God, or hazard the disturbance of their own repoty, however urgently their brethren call for their assistance.—Dan and After followed Reuben’s bad example. Engaged in traffic and merchandise, they refused to be engaged in such an expedition, and pleaded, perhaps, their fox-faring way of life as their excuse. Nate, They who have no mind to engage in God’s warfare, are never at a loss for a pretext. But above all the rest, Meroz most offended, and therefore a bitter curie descends from God upon the inhabitants thereof. This seems to have been a city situated near the field of battle, whose people refused their assistance, and were more afraid of Sifera’s army, than affected with God’s promises. Nate, (1.) They who would save their lives by their coward fears, shall lose them. (2.) There is no neutrality to be observed between God and the world: whosoever is afraid or ashamed to join God’s people, is a deserter from the camp of God, and shall be treated accordingly.

3. Heb. She hammered, de. Dr. Botween. § Heb. Dethroyd. Pick. in. 7.

4. Bleffed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenzie be, bleffed shall she be above women in the tent. 25. He asked water, and she gave him milk, she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. 26. She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmens hammer: and with the hammer she smote Sifera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples. 27. At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell; where he bowed, there he fell down; dead.

Jael, the wife of Heber, receives her deserved encomium for that noble deed against the enemy of God and his Israel. Lulled into security by her invitation and treatment, Sifera without suspicion drank of her cup, and lay down to sleep; when, by a divine impulse stirred up, her manly soul approached the devoted victim, and with unrelenting steadiards she struck the deadly blow. Awaking, at her feet he fell; the shadows of death hung heavy on his eye-lids, he bowed, he fell; he bowed, he fell down dead, not in the bed of honour, or slain by the devouring sword, but by the hand of a woman, surprised without the power of resistance. His head is severed from his body; the terror of the mighty now lies low, and pride is humbled to the dull: thus will it shortly be with those that now are sunk in sin, and allege in security; soon the arrows of the almighty will stick fast in them; they must bow under the stroke of vengeance, and fall not into the arms of death only, but into the belly of hell.

28. The mother of Sifera looked out at a window, and cried through the latter’s, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots? 29. Her wife ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself. 30. Have they not spelt? have they not divided the prey, § to every man a damsel or two? to Sifera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needle-work, of divers colours of needle-work on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil? 31. So let all those enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him, be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

Exud. av. Heb. To the head of a man. c Pick. xii. q. vi. e Eph. vi. sa. e a Sam. xxv. a. PC. seven. 6. Advent. i. a. from Khear’s doth.

Judges 5:28-31

Most elegantly Deborah describes the vain confidence, impatience, and vanity of Sifera’s mother; eager to see her triumphant son return, she chides the lingering chariot wheels: her wife women would suggest the reason, yea she answers her own question, and foolishly flattens herself that they are now dividing the prey. To the scandal of their sex, these Canaanville ladies wantonly please themselves with the view of Israel’s daughters violated by the inhuman soldiers, whilst Sifera’s mother vainly revolving in her mind her own expected spoil, some gaudy robe, wrought with most exquisite beauty of needle-work, trusts in this her far-cited garb of honour. How bitter than her disappointment, to end her princely milleness charged for prison garments, and this out-threched neck bowed under captive bands. Nate, (1.) Among the most befitting sins of

women, is vanity of dress. (2.) When our hearts heat highest with worldly hopes, and after worldly gratifications, our disappointments will be proportionably bitter.

The song concludes with a fervent prayer for the continuance of Israel’s success. Let those enemies perish. Since their enemies are his, and it is for God’s glory to punish those who continue impenitent, it may safely be the matter of our prayer: but in those who love him, his faithful people, shine bright as the sun when it goeth forth in its meridian splendor, victorious over all their enemies, and exemplary in all holy convertations and godliness. Nate, They who have fought the Lord’s battles, and in faith and love approved themselves to him here before, shall shortly shine as the sun in the firmament of glory above for ever and ever.

The effect of this victory was another forty years rest. Happy for them had they improved it more wisely than before, and prevented the return of judgments, which they had already so severely felt.