Judges 5:6

6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellersb walked through byways.

ff— How can Jael be commended for such a cruel act of murder?

PROBLEM: The story of the death of Sisera at the hands of Jael depicts a violent and cruel murder (Judges 4:21). However, the song of Deborah recorded in Judges 5 commends Jael for killing Sisera. How can Jael be praised for committing such a violent murder?

SOLUTION: First, it should be remembered that Sisera was a mighty warrior. When he came to Jael’s tent, Jael was hardly in a position to refuse him entrance. Although it was Jael who went out to meet Sisera to encourage him to find refuge in her tent, it is clear from 4:17 that he was already planning to go to Jael’s tent.

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