Judges 4:8

And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.

Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go. This somewhat singular request of Barak to be accompanied by Deborah was not altogether the result of weakness. The Orientals always take what they account dearest to the battlefield along with them, under the belief that the presence of the beloved Object animates their courage. The presence of women of rank in the camp of the Orientals is not uncommon. Every classical scholar will remember the generous conduct of Alexander in the tent of Darius, when the ladies of the Persian court became his captives; and the beautiful episode of Panthea is universally known (see further the note at Judges 5:30). The policy of Barak, then, to secure the presence of the prophetess is perfectly intelligible, as it would unless stimulate the valour of the troops than sanction, in the eyes of Israel, the uprising against an oppressor so powerful as Jabin. [The Septuagint explains the motives of Barak in a added clause, hoti ouk oida teen heemeran en hee euodoi kurios ton angelon met' emou, because I know not the day on which the Lord may send his messenger with me and prosper me.]