_A.M. 2688. B.C. 1316._ Israel, revolting from God, is oppressed by Jabin, Judges 4:1. Deborah concerts their deliverance with Barak, Judges 4:4. Barak takes the field and conquers, Judges 4:10. Sisera flies and is killed, Judges 4:17. Barak sees him, and Israel is delivered, Judges 4:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jabin_ This Jabin was probably descended from the other prince of that name, who fell by the hands of Joshua, Joshua 11:11. He doubtless had watched all opportunities to recover his ancient possessions, and to revenge his own and his father's quarrel. _King of Canaan_ That is, of the land where mos... [ 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_ Such a one as Miriam, Exodus 15:23; Huldah, 2 Kings 22:14, and divers others; but the word _prophets_, or _prophetesses_, is ambiguous, sometimes being meant of persons extraordinarily inspired by God, and endowed with the power of working miracles, and foretelling things to come; and... [ Continue Reading ]
_And she dwelt_ Or, as the Septuagint and Vulgate understand it, _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 he... [ Continue Reading ]
_Called Barak_ By virtue of that power which God had given her, and the people owned in her. _Out of 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 t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Draw to thee_ By my secret and powerful providence, ordering and overruling his inclinations. In fixing the very place, she gave him a sign which might confirm his faith when he came to engage.... [ Continue Reading ]
_If thou wilt go with me, then I will go_ No doubt he thought he had great reason for making this resolution, because he might want her advice in doubtful matters, and her authority also, both to raise men and to keep them together in good order, and likewise to inspire them with courage. His offer... [ Continue Reading ]
_The journey thou takest_ Hebrew, _the way thou takest_, which may mean the course he had resolved upon, not to go without her. _Shall not be for thine honour_ Though his faith was accepted, yet the weakness of it somewhat eclipsed his glory. _The Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman_ It... [ Continue Reading ]
_With ten thousand men at his feet_ That is, following him as their leader. Possibly it also intimates that they were all footmen, there being no horses in Judea but what were brought out of other countries. This made the victory the more glorious, by the overthrow of a vast number of chariots and h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now Heber the Kenite_ The husband of Jael. _Had severed himself from the Kenites_ From the rest of his brethren, who lived in the wilderness of Judah. What the reason was of his leaving them, is not known; but there was a special providence of God in it. _Pitched his tent_ That is, his dwelling, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Deborah said unto Barak, Up_ Hebrew, _Arise_, Delay not. If we have ground to believe that God goes before us, we may well go on with courage and cheerfulness. _Is not the Lord gone before thee?_ Namely, as general of thine army, to fight for thee. _So Barak went down_ He did not make use of the ad... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was not a man left_ In the field; for there were some who fled away, as Sisera did. _The tent of Jael_ For women had their tents apart from their husbands. And here he probably thought he would be more secret and secure than in her husband's tent, or in any other place in that encampment, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jael said unto him, Turn in, my lord_ If Jael now intended to betray and deliver him to Barak, or otherwise to injure him, her addressing him in this manner was dissimulation and treachery, and is not to be excused. But it is highly probable that she had now no other intention toward him, in inviti... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Jael took a nail of the tent_ That is, one of that sort on which the cords of the tent were fastened, and which consequently were of a large size. _Come, and I will show thee the man whom thou seekest_ Thus both parts of Deborah's prophecy concerning Sisera were fulfilled. He was _delivered in... [ Continue Reading ]