Judges 5

Judges 5:1

THen sang] Deborah as a prophetesse composed the song, and Barak joyned with her in singing it.

Judges 5:2

the people] To wit, chiefly of the two tribes, Zebulon and Naphtali, as it is Chap. 4. 10. and 5. 18. with some others, v. 14, 15.

willingly] i. e. As voluntiers at the sound of the trumpet, Barak having no authority to presse them to the service.

Judges 5:4

wentest out of Seir] i. e. When going before them in a cloudy pillar, thou diddest lead thy people thence into the land of promise, by a long circuit, after they had subdued King Arad. Numbers 20:21. and Numbers 21:4.

the earth] That is, the earth it self, or the nations, both Edomites and Amorites, trembled with fear of the Israelites neer approach. See Deuteronomy 2:25. Joshua 5:1.

the heavens dropped] See Psalms 68:2.

Judges 5:5

mountains melted] By these hyperbolicall expressions he sheweth how the nations were afrighted and amazed when God shewed visible signes of his power in protecting his people. So Psal. 68. 15, 16, &c.

that Sinai] i. e. Even as mount Sinai had done when God proclaimed his law.

Judges 5:6

abodest thou] i. e. Thou, O Reuben.

among the sheepfolds] For this tribe was rich in cattell, Numbers 32:1.

to hear the bleatings] i. e. Taking more care to tend thy cattell, then to assist thy brethren.

great searchings] See v. 15.

Judges 5:7

of the villages ceased] i. e. Unwalled towns lay waste, because the countrey people durst not dwell in them.

a mother in Israel] i. e. As governesse and a prophetesse, teaching them Gods will, and tendring their miseries, have encouraged them to this war, which hath freed them out of all their calamities

Judges 5:8

They chose new gods] i. e. They worshipped the heathen idols, which was the cause why God plagued them with all these miseries of war, Judg. 2. 10. and 4. 1.

was there a shield] i. e. Surely there were none, because the enemies had disarmed them. See 1 Samuel 13:19; 1 Samuel 13:22. or else they were grown so cowardly, that they durst not use their weapons in their defence, nor so much as let them come in sight.

Judges 5:9

my heart] i. e. From my heart I honour and love the governours and heads of the tribes who offered themselves to be captains and leaders in this war, by their example encourageing the common people.

Judges 5:10

white asses] i. e. Princes and chief governours, who used in those dayes to ride on such asses, as an ensigne of their state and power. See Chap. 10. 4. and 12. 14. do ye blesse the LORD, and speak of his greatacts.

walk by the way] That have occasion to travell in the highwayes, which were lately dangerous, but now secure, by the valour of these worthies.

Judges 5:11

they that are] i. e. They that were formerly put in danger of their lives by the archers and souldiers, whiles they were drawing water, and are now out of this fear, let them blesse the LORD for this, and sing his praises.

righteous acts] To wit, in avenging his people upon their enemies.

villages] Which were in most danger, because least defensible; but now by this victory safe for habitation.

go down to the gates] i. e. All sorts, citizens and countrey-men, may now have free ingresse and egresse, both to the courts of justice, and to the market.

Judges 5:12

thy captivity captive] i. e. Lead them captive, that kept thy people in captivity, Psalms 68:18.

Judges 5:13

Then he] i. e. The LORD made the remainder of the Israelites, rescued by this victory out of the tyranny of the Canaanites, to have now dominion over their nobles.

made me] i. e. Me Deborah, by my counsell and encouragement, to subdue great princes and captains.

Judges 5:14

Out of Ephraim] Here Deborah beginneth to relate how the severall tribes acquitted themselves in this expedition, praising or blaming them according to their merit or demerit.

a root] Some take this root to be Deborah, dwelling upon mount Ephraim, Chap. 4. 5. the root or first mover of this expedition against the Canaanites, here called Amalek, in respect of their hatred and tyranny. Others take it to be Joshua an Ephraimite, who subdued Amalek, Exodus 17:13. Others read it thus, whose root is by Amalek, and understand Judah and Simeon, whose coast did extend unto Amalek, as appeareth by comparing Judges 1:16. with 1 Samuel 15:6.

after thee] That is, after thee, O LORD, Benjamin followed also with the rest of thy people. Some refer it as spoken to Ephraim, followed by Benjamin.

Machir] i. e. The Manassites descending from Machir the first-born of Mnsseh, Joshua 17:1.

governours] Captains and leaders, or judges and law-givers.

handle the pen] q. d. Not onely captains and rulers, but even scribes, addicted to their studies, took arms to help their brethren.

Judges 5:15

were with Deorah] i. e. Agreed with her to give their assistance when they were required.

even ssahar] i. e. Not onely the princes, but the whole tribe.

also Barak] Being called with his tribe of Naphtali, came, and did what was commanded, Judges 4:6; Judges 4:10.

on foot] So Judges 4:10; Judges 4:14.

into the valley] To wit, of mount Tabor, Judges 4:14.

for the divisions of Reuben] Reuben, dwelling on the other side Jordan, kept himself separate from his brethren, giving them no assistance in this war, but stood as neutrall to both sides, regarding more their own private, then the publike interest.

great thoughts of heart] i. e. Wrought in mens mindes many strange impressions, and distracted them with severall opinions, and divers constructions, causing men to wonder much at this cold neutrality. Some think that these strange thoughts which made them so slack and remisse, were in the Reubenites themselves, who were distracted with severall opinions; some thinking it best to ayd their brethren: and others, the greater and more prevailing party, that they were better to abstain, that they might enjoy their ease, and avoid danger: others, because out of pride of heart they would not follow the conduct of a woman.

Judges 5:17

Gilead] i. e. Half the tribe of Manasseh beyond Jordan, or else the two tribes and an half that dwelled together in Gilead. See Numbers 32:5. 29, 33.

in ships] The inheritance of Dan and Asher lay for the most part on the sea side, Joshua 19:24; Joshua 19:26; Joshua 19:40; Joshua 19:46.

breaches] Made into the land by sea-floods.

Judges 5:18

high places] i. e. Mount Tabor, from whence they went down with Barak into the battell. See Chap. 4. 10, 14.

Judges 5:19

the kings] i. e. Jabin and his consederates.

in Taanach] Which belonged to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh, and was neer Tabor. See Chap. 1. 27

money] Though they hoped for much spoil, yet they got nothing, yea, lst all and themselves too.

Judges 5:20

they fought from heaven] i. e. The treasures from above, as the rain, windes, hail; and the stars with their influences conspired to work their ruine. See Chap. 4. 15.

Judges 5:21

swept them away] To wit, being swelled with rain and storms from above, did drown many of them in their flight.

strength] i. e. All the power of the enemies, or the strong and mighty enemy.

Judges 5:22

hf broken] And so made unserviceable.

Judges 5:23

Curse ye] i. e. Acknowledge and pronounce them accursed, by the authority and command of the angel speaking by me.

Meroz] Which was (as some think) a city neer the river Kishon, where the battell was fought, on the south border of Issachar. Others say that it is the name of a place now unknown, as being not elsewhere mentioned.

said the angel] That is, the angel of covenant, the LORD Christ. See Chap. 6. 11. and 2. 1.

hlp of the Lord] i. e. To the help of the LORDS people, unto whose salvation Gods glory is annexed.

the mighty] i. e. Sisera and his mighty army. Some read it thus, among, or, with the ghty: i. e. Barak, and his valiant worthies.

Judges 5:25

a lordy dish] i. e. A dish befitting a lord; or so large as he might drink his fill out of it.

Judges 5:26

she smote Sisera] i. e. She smote the nail of the tent thorow his temples with the hammer.

Judges 5:28

The mother of Sisera] A lively and ironicall representation of pride and carnall confidence, prsuming of successe in enterprises upon sensuall grounds, without respect to Gods power and providence.

Judges 5:30

Have they not sped?] i. e. They have surely sped, and got the victory, and therefore cannot come so soon, because they must have some time allowed them to divide the spoil.

on both sides] i. e. Both sides alike, and of equall beauty.

Judges 5:31

as the san] i. e. From morning to high noon, still encreasing in glory and brightnesse Proverbs 4:18. Psalms 37:6.

Fourty yeers] To wit, being reckoned from that eighty yeers mentioned, Chap. 3. 30.