Of Canaan — That is, of the land where most of the Canaanites, strictly so called, now dwelt, which seems to be in the northern part of Canaan. This seems to be of the posterity of that Jabin, whom Joshua slew, Joshua 11:11, who watched all opportunities to recover his ancient possessions, and to re... [ Continue Reading ]
Mightily oppressed — More than former tyrants; from his malice and hatred against the Israelites; and from God's just judgment, the growing punishment being suitable to their aggravated wickedness.... [ Continue Reading ]
A prophetess — As there were men — prophets, so there were also women — prophetesses, as Miriam, Exodus 15:20. Huldah, 2 Kings 22:14, and divers others; but the word prophets or prophetesses is ambiguous, sometimes being used of persons extraordinarily inspired by God, and endowed with the power of... [ Continue Reading ]
And she dwelt — Or, she sat: she had her judgment — seat in the open air, under the shadow of that tree; which was an emblem of the justice she administered there: thriving and growing against opposition, as the palm — tree does under pressures. Came to her — To have their suits and causes determine... [ Continue Reading ]
Called Barak — By virtue of that power which God had given her, and the people owned in her. Kedesh Naphtali — So called, to distinguish it from other places of that name, one in Judah, and another in Issachar. Hath not the Lord, &c. — That is, assuredly God hath commanded thee; this is not the fanc... [ Continue Reading ]
Draw to Thee — By my secret and powerful providence, ordering and over — ruling his inclinations that way. In fixing the very place, she gave him a sign, which might confirm his faith, when he came to engage.... [ Continue Reading ]
I will not go — His offer to go with her, shews the truth of his faith, for which he is praised, Hebrews 11:32, but his refusal to go without her, shews the weakness of his faith, that he could not trust God's bare word, as he ought to have done, without the pledge of the presence of his prophetess.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ten thousand at his feet — That is, who followed him; possibly he intimates that they were all foot — men; and so this is emphatically added, to signify by what contemptible means God overthrew Sisera's great host.... [ Continue Reading ]
Heber — The husband of Jael. Of Hobab — Called also Jethro. The Kenites — From the rest of his brethren, who lived in the wilderness of Judah. His tent — That is, his dwelling, which probably was in tents, as shepherds used.... [ Continue Reading ]
They — That is, this people dwelling there, or his spies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Up — Heb. arise, delay not. If we have ground to believe, that God goes before us, we may well go on with courage and cheerfulness. Gone before thee — Namely, as general of thine army, to fight for thee. Went down — He doth not make use of the advantage which he had of the hill, where he might have... [ Continue Reading ]
Discomfited — With great terror and noise, as the word signifies, probably with thunder and lightning, and hail — stones, poured upon them from heaven, as is implied, Judges 5:20. Edge of the sword — That is, by the sword of Barak and his army, whose ministry God used; but so, that they had little e... [ Continue Reading ]
Left — In the field; for there were some who fled away, as Sisera did.... [ Continue Reading ]
The tent of Jael — For women had their tents apart from their husbands. And here he thought to lurk more securely than in her husband's tent. Peace — Not a covenant of friendship, which they were forbidden to make with that cursed people, but only a cessation of hostilities, which he afforded them b... [ Continue Reading ]
Fear not — This was a promise of security, and therefore she cannot be excused from dissimulation and treachery.... [ Continue Reading ]
A bottle of milk — As a signification of greater respect. Covered him — Upon pretence of hiding him.... [ Continue Reading ]
A nail of the tent — Wherewith they used to fasten the tent, which consequently was long and sharp. This might seem a very bold attempt, but it must be considered, that she was encouraged to it, by observing that the heavens and all the elements conspired against him, as one devoted to destruction.... [ Continue Reading ]