Judges 4

Judges 4:1

JjLND the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. See iii. 12. After the death of Ehud.] And of Shamgar. Concerning whom, there is no further mention made, because he did nothing more than this one memorable act; religion being reformed by Ehud, who left it so at the time of his death; when, it is likely, the Philistines, seeing their chieftain gone, made the forenamed inroad upon the Israelites; but they being not yet openly fallen into idolatry, God was pleased to raise up Shamgar to give them a repulse, before they could possess themselves of any part of the country, as the Moabites had done. After which blow, given them by this single champion, it was a long time before we read of any disturbance they gave them; though Shamgar, it is probable, lived but a short time after this noble achievement. And then, when Ehud and he had been some time dead, the Israelites forgot the wonderful works of God, and returned to their old sin: for so the words in the Hebrew are to be understood, which run thus, and Ehud was dead: for that particle ve, which we translate and, oft-times signifies because; and here makes these wwds the reason of their relapse, because Ehud was dead, w T ho had been the great instrument of bringing them back to God, and keeping them, while he lived, in his service.

Judges 4:2

And the Lord sold them. Delivered them up to be made slaves. (See iii. 8.) Into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan.] Of that part of the country where the people, properly called Canaanites, now dwelt under his government. Who reigned in Hazor.] In the region belonging unto Hazor; for the city itself was burnt by Joshua, (Josh. xi. 10.) and the king of it also slain, as we read there, xii. 9. whose name also was Jabin, (Josh. xi. 1.) of whose posterity it is probable this Jabin was; whose name was common ^to all the kings of that country, as Pharaoh was to the kings of Egypt. It is possible, indeed, that Hazor might be rebuilt, as some other cities were, and possessed by the ancient inhabitants; but there is no need to suppose that; for he might reign in Hazor, just as the Moabites possessed Jericho; that is, the region appertaining to it. And according to the opinion I mentioned in the foregoing.chapter, ver. 30. Jabin is supposed to have invaded and brought under only the northern tribes; those in the east remaining at the same time in peace, after the expulsion of the Moabites; twenty years after which (Sir John Marsham makes account) Jabin s dominion over the northern tribes began. The text, indced^inakes no such distinction, the children of f Iff I vl ^/wt/f C v_V CIIAP. IV.] UPON JUDGES. Israel in general being represented as sold under Jabin for their sins; yet it is said, ver. 10. that Barak gathered his army out of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, which are the tribes supposed to be alone oppressed by Jabin. Other tribes, indeed, joined with them, and they that did not, are very much blamed for it by Deborah in her song, even the Reubenites, and they beyond Jordan, (v. 14 — 16.) for it might very well be expected, that they who lived in peace and case should be ready to assist their brethren who were heavily oppressed. The captain of whose host was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth of the gentiles.] If we suppose that Hazor lay in its ruins, then Harosheth was the royal city, wherein Jabin dwelt, as well as Sisera. Which is called Harosheth of the gentiles, because people of several nations fled hither to be under his protection, when they heard that he had possessed himself of that country, and kept the Israelites out of it.

Judges 4:3

And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, for he had nine hundred chariots of iron. His power was so increased, that they had no hope to redeem their liberty but by the help of the Lord. It may seem strange, that in this petty kingdom they should be so strong in chariots, when Mithridates had but a hundred in his army, and Darius no more than two hundred, as good authors inform us. (See Bochartus, in his Hierozoicon, par. i. lib.ii. cap. 9. p. 156.) I suppose they placed their chiefest strength in these, being not able to set out a great number of horsemen. And twenty years they mightily oppressed the children of Israel.] Who groaned under along servitude; during which time Jabin squeezed them, I suppose, by heavy exactions, which enabled hira to raise greater forces than he had at first, when he brought them under his power. For God’s anger increased by their frequent revolts from him; and he punished them more severely than he had done before by the Moabites; the Canaanites being the old inhabitants of the land, who hated them mortally, and kept them under a sorer as well as a longer oppression,. than the Moabites had done.'

Judges 4:4

And Deborah the prophetess. Such a one as Miriam, endued with Divine gifts of wisdom to instruct, direct, and govern others. For she was not only instructed with the knowledge of Divine things, but also w T as excited liy the Holy Spirit (as Kimchi here notes) to declare the will of God to the people (which was the proper office of a prophet), as appears by the following part of this history. Her name in Hebrew signifies a bee; which hath been given (as learned men have observed) by other nations, to illustrious women. As among the Greeks, the nymph, said to he the nurse of Jove, is called Melissa; and the wife of Periander king of Corinth had the same name.’ The wife of Lapkloth.] Or, as others translate it, a woman of Lapidoth; taking this word to signify a place, not ri person. But our translation seems the most natural, and is to be preferred to that of II. Solomon and others, who translate it a woman of splendours; that is, an illustrious woman. * She judged Israel at that time.] Had the supreme authority over them; being so well known to be divinely inspired, that it procured her universal reverence, and submission to her judgment. "

Judges 4:5

And she dwelt under the palm-tree of Deborah. Or, as the LXX. and the Vulgar understand it, she sat under the palm-tree, when she administered judgment. Whence the tree was called by her name; because it was the place where all resorted to her. Between Ramah and Beth-eL] That is, in the confines^ of the tribes of Benjamin and Ephraim. For Ramah was* a city in the tribe of Benjamin, and Beth-el in the tribe of Ephraim. In Mount Ephraim.’] In one of the mountains in the borders of that country; for though the tree was near both tribes, yet it stood in the tribe of Ephraim. The Jews (as appears by the Chaldee paraphrase) from hence conclude she was a very great woman, who had noble plantations in Jericho, Ramah, Beth-el, and other places; that is, of palms, saith R. Solomon, in Jericho, of vineyards in Ramah, and of olive-yards in the plain of Beth-el. And from her dwelling in a mountain, and being a prophetess, and a governess, and other things, some learned men imagine the story of the Theban sphinx was invented by the Greeks. (See Bochartus, lib. i. Canaan, cap. 6.) And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.] For direction and the ending of differences, by deciding causes; which none could do with such satisfaction as she did. By which it appears, that though Jabin oppressed them sorely, yet it was rather by rigorous taxations, than infringing all their laws; the course of which he did not stop, but suffered to be administered by their own officers. And he took the less notice of it, perhaps, because the supreme judicature was exercised by a woman; from whose power and authority he thought there was no reason to apprehend any danger. It may be probably hence gathered, that there was no such Sanhedrin in these days, as the Jews conceive there always was in the most early times: for why should they go to her for judgment, if* there were a court of seventy eminent persons, then sitting at Shiloh?

Judges 4:6

And she sent and called. A plain act of authority, which was owned by the whole nation. Barak the son of Abinoam.] Concerning whom we know no more (for, that he was Deborah’s husband, or, as others say, her son, arc ungrounded conceits of some of the Jews), but that he was born or dwelt in a famous city in the tribe of Naphtali, as it follows in the next words. -’ Out of Kedesh-NaphtalL] There were several cities of this name. One in the tribe of Issachar, (IChron. vi. 72.) another in the tribe of Judah, (Josh. xv. 23.) and therefore, for distinction’s sake, this is called Kcdesh-Naphtali; which was a city of great note, in the upper Galilee, belonging to the Levites, and a city of refuge. And said unto him, Hath not’ the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying.] She could not think he doubted of the commission she -now gave him from God; which he received as an oracle. Go, and draw.] The Vulgar takes the word draw to signify gathering forces together: but the LXX. take it to be. of the same import with the foregoing word; signifying that he should go till he drew near to Mount Tabor. Towards Mount Tabor.] A noble mountain in Galilee, not far from Kedesh, in the tribe of Zebulun, and in the confines of Issachar and Manasseh; which had a very large plain at the top of it, as Josephus tells us, who calls it Staburium, lib. iv. dc-Bello Jud. cap, 2. where he §wm 9 V* A COMMENTARY. [chap. IVmight draw up an army, and exercise them very conveniently. And take with thee ten thousand wen.] Who were moved to list themselves under him, by the proclamation of this commission, which he brought with him from God. Of the children ofNaphtali, and of the children ofZebulun.] She thought ho need go no further than these two tribes, which were nearest to him; but others also offered their service out of Manassch and Issachar, as appears from ver. 14, 15.

Judges 4:7

And I will draw unto thee. These arc the words of God (which Deborah pronounced in his name), signifying, as Arius Montanus understands the word draw, that he would, by his secret providence, incline Siscra to come within his power to destroy him; as hunters (unto whom warriors are compared) entice wild beasts to fall into their toils. To tlie river Kishon.] Which was near Mount Tabor; having its beginning at the foot of it. Sisera, the captain ofjabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude.’] Wherewith he intended, to encompass this mountain; and block up Barak till he forced him to yield up himself unto him. Atul I tvill deliver him into thine hand."] This shews Deborah to have been endued with the highest gift of prophecy; which was to foretell certainly things to come.

Judges 4:8

And Barak said tinto her, If thou wilt go ivith me, then will I go; but if thou wilt not go with me, then I tvill not go. He is commended for his faith in God by the apostle, Hcb. xi. 32. as well as other great worthies in ancient time; though it.was so weak and imperfect, that he made conditions with God’s messenger, and absolutely refused to obey unless they were granted. He had great reason, he thought, for it; because he might want her advice in doubtful matters, and her authority also, both to gather soldiers, aiid to keep them together in good order, and to inspire them with courage. The LXX. here add a great many words, which make this the reason of his backwardness; that without her he should not be able to know the best time of giving Sisera battle.

Judges 4:9

And sfie said, I will surely go with thee. She saw he had faith enough to undertake the enterprise, and therefore consented to his proposal. Notwithstanding the journey that thou takest.] In the Hebrew it is, the way that thou takest. Which may signify the course which he had resolved upon, not to go without her. Shall not be for thine JionotirJ] Though his faith was accepted, yet the weakness of it something eclipsed his glory. For the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.] It is a great part of the glory of a conqueror to take the general of the enemy’s army, or to kill him with his own hand; which she tells him should be denied him, as a small punishment of his backwardness to do as he was bidden; and as he would not go without a woman, so a woman should take away this honour from him. And Deborah arose> and went with Barak to Kedesh.] She made no delay, but immediately accompanied him to his own city; where he began, I suppose, his levy of men.

Judges 4:10

And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtqli to Kedesh. He caused proclamation to be made of God’s command, and his own intentions, in these two tribes; who resorted to him in great numbers. Digitized! by And went up with ten thousand men.] He picked, I suppose, ten thousand men, put of those wfcoilockcd to him; and went up with them to Mount Tabor, At his feet.] That is, they followed him as their leader. Though it may signify that they were all footmen; there being no horses in Jqdea, which they brought out of other countries. This made the victory the more glorious, by the overthrow of a great many chariots and horses in the opposite army. And Deborah went up with him.] To encourage him and his forces, now they w;ero gathered.

Judges 4:11

Now Heber the Kenite,tvhowas of the children of Hobab, the father-in-law of Moses. See Numb. x. 29. This is interposed to explain what follows concerning Jacl, who was Hcber’s wife. Had severed himself from the Kenites.] Who went along with the children of Judah, to settlo among them, (Judg. i. 1G.) What the reason was of Hcbcr’s leaving them, as they aH left the plain of Jericho, is not known; but there was a special providence of God in it. Andpitchedhis tent.] The Kenites lived after the man* ner of the Midianites (from whom they descended), in tents, not in houses. Unto the plain of Zaanaim.] A place in the tribe of Naphtali, (Josh. xix. 33.) where there was a plain, or (as the LXX. expound the Hebrew word alon) a grove of oaks, under the shadow of which their tents were pitched. Which was by Kedesh.] Though they loved to live in the. open fields, yet not far from a city.

Judges 4:12

And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone tip to Mount Tabor. They could not want intelligence of a thing done so publicly as this was; and the words seem to import, that Sisera had many who informed him of all that passed.

Judges 4:13

And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron. In which (as I said ycr. 3.) their main strength consisted. But they. being unfit for service in mountainous, countries, as I have often observed, it is probable they placed them so below the mountain as to coop up Barak there; by seizing all the avenues, and hindering, all provisions from being brought to him. And all the people that were xvithhim.] As great a number of footmen, as cams to him upon the summons he sent forth, to require them to appear on this occasion. For so the word gathered together signifies in the Hebrew (as wc observe in. the margin, of our Bibles), gathered by cry or proclamation. From Harosheth of the gentiles, unto the river Kishon.] With whom he marched from that city to this river; which descended, as I said, from the foot of Mount Tabor.

Judges 4:14

And Deborah said unto Barak, Up. Make nd delay. For this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thinehand.] Shespeaks of the victory as already gained, that she might work in him a full assurance thereof. This doth not contradict what was said ver. 1). that God would sell Sisera into the hand of a woman: for both were true; he and his army were delivered into the hand of Barak, to be routed by him; but he, in his flight, fell into Jael’s hands to be killed. How long this was after Sisera encamped at the river Kishon, we have no means to know; irllwl wwWf I v_> CHAP. IV.] UPON JUDGES. buti t was upon some day when Deborah knew the army of. Sisera lay secure in their quarters, or were aboutfortifying the passages more strongly; or were to be joined with greater forces; or some other way might be taken at. advantage. Is not the Lord gone out before thee?] As a. general doth before his army; to animate, and raise their courage. So Barak iv en t doivn from Mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after hint.] It is not said that Deborah went with him any farther than to Mount Tabor: where, it is likely, his faith was grown so strong, that he durst undertake any thing without her presence with him.

Judges 4:15

And tk$ Lord. Who conducted Barak, as he did his army, (ver. 14.). Discomfited Sisera, and all his cliariots, and all his host.] They did not expect such a bold sally as this, which struck a sudden terror into them; for he fell upon them, it is likely, before they were aware, which put them into the greater confusion. The Lord also struck a terror into them (as the word hamam imports) by a noise of thunder and lightning; as the word is used 1 Sam. vii. 10. and also in Josh. x. 10. where we read«the Canaanites were discomfited by great hailstones falling down upon them: or he made a terrible sound of horses and chariots rattling in their ears, by the ministry of his angels, in the clouds; as he did in the days of Elisha, (2 Kings vii. 6.) which seems to be acknowledged by Deborah, in her song in the next chapter, (ver. 20.) With the edge of the sword.] This terror and confusion wherein they were, exposed them to be slain easily. So that Sisera lighted down off his chariot.] Which he thought did not make haste enough to carry him out of danger; and, besides, made it known where he was. And fled away on his feet.] As a common soldier, that he might not be discovered; and that he might likewise secure himself, by his speedy, running: for anciently valiant men were wonderful swift of foot, as it is noted of Asahcl, 2 Sam. ii. 18. and every one knows it was the character of the famous Achilles among the Greeks.

Judges 4:16

But Barak pursued after the cliariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the gentiles. He resolved to follow his blow to the very gates of their own city. And all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword.] In the pursuit, be and his men cut off all they overtook. And there was not one of them left7\ Which was their whole army; not one escaping to cany the news of their defeat to Jabin. Or, there was not one man to be seen in the way to Harosheth; but they were all scattered to shift where they could for themselves.

Judges 4:17

Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to tlie tent of Jael wife of Ileber the Kenite. Only Sisera, by his swift running, got, as he thought, into a place of safety, in the tent of Jael; her husband, perhaps, being abroad in the field, and she only at home. Women also had their apartment by themselves, in a tent of their own, as appears by Gen. xxiv. G7. sec there, and Gen. xxxi. 33. where he imagined no search would be made for him. And there was peace between Jabin king ofHazor and the house of Ileber the Kenite.]’lt seems Hebcr was a considerable person, who had a great family, and many dependants; like that of Abraham, Gen. xiv. 14. How he came to escape the sore oppression under which the Israelites groaned (being incorporated into their nation and religion), and to live at ease in a time of great distress, we can but conjecture. Perhaps their manner of life, retired from towns and company, made Jabin not fear any danger from them; and if they still kept close to their religion, when the Israelites were apostates, God inclined the heart of Jabin to be favourable to them, and give no molestation to his harmless neighbours; who, perhaps, purchased their freedom from vexation, by their frequent incursions.

Judges 4:18

And Jael went, out to meet Sisera. She watched, it is likely, to hear the event of Sisera’s expedition; and seeing him come with great speed towards her house, went out, to invite him there to repose himself. And said unto him, Turn in,my lord, turn in; fear noL] She. assured. him there was nobody in,the tent to do him any hurt. Which was true; and it is not certain that she now intended to do, what afterward she did. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.] Being weary, he desired to take some rest; when it was proper to throw a covering over him, to preserve him, being very hot, from taking cold. What kind of covering this was, which the Hebrews, call semicha (and we translate mantle), is not very material; They say it was a thick covering, which hath flocks of wool on both sides; such as our double rugs. (See Bochart, lib. i. Canaan, cap. 42.)

Judges 4:19

And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink, for I am thirsty. By the heat of the fight, and his long running. And she opened a bottle of milk.] Out of respect to him, she brought him the best liquor she had, and of the, best sort; for it appears by ver. 25. of the next chapter, that the cream was not taken off from it. It is possible also she might design, by this draught, to throw him into a sounder sleep; for milk, when largely drank, flies up into the head, and causes drowsiness. But however that be, it is certain milk was anciently accounted the most agreeable nourishment, which Hippocrates calls ade<j>bv kcu avyytvlg to human bodies. And therefore the most warlike nations lived upon it, more than any other food; asHerraannus Conringius hath shewn at large in his book de Habitus Germanoruin Corporum causis. And gave him drink, and covered him.] He rose up to drink; and then lying down again, she covered him as before.

Judges 4:20

Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent. Because he doth riot say, Stand I pray thee (as he did before when he asked for drink), some fancy (parti-, cularly Arius Montanus) that he spake this imperiously; laying his commands upon her, as a confederate of his master: but 1 see no ground to think, that, when he was in such need of her friendship, he would take upon him so much as to give her a charge to do any thing, but rather entreat it of her., And it shall be, when any man doth come and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here?] Who was not of their own family. That thou shalt say, No.] They imagined there was no harm in telling an officions’lie todeceive an enemy; that they might preserve a friend or ally, as he was,

Judges 4:21

Then Jael Hebcr’s wife, took a nail of th&fmt.J*