Judges 4:5

‘ And she stationed herself under the palm tree of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel, in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.'

When local justice failed, or cases were too complicated, or inter-tribal, or needed special discernment, the people would come to her. She was seen as having wisdom from God. She stationed herself under a palm tree (which would provide shade) which was ever afterwards called ‘the palm tree of Deborah'. (There is little reason for identifying it as the oak under which Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, was buried). Under a prominent tree would appear to have been a regular place for giving judgments, and made the judge accessible.

“Between Ramah and Bethel.” This would be in Benjaminite territory, and central for the tribes. It would be near Mizpah where the tribes met for judgment (Judges 20:1).

“And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.” One of the responsibilities of the judges was administration and justice. But all who were called judges were seen as having Yahweh with them in one way or another. Such a position required the Spirit of Yahweh.