Judges 5

Judges 5:4

Shamgar] Of him, Ch. III. 31. And of Jael, Ch. IV. 18.

Judges 5:8

Was there a speare] 1 Sam. XIII. 19.

Judges 5:11

From the noise] They could not fetch water without danger from the enemy.

Judges 5:14

Out of] Hence to the end of the Song, and Chapter, Deborah relates how the several Tribes behaved themselves in this Expedition; with their praise, or dispraise. And here Reuben, Gilead, and Dan, and Asher are blamed; and Meroz cursed: and Jael the wife of Heber is blessed.

Roote] Most likely, understood of Deborah of Mount Ephraim, the firstrise and mover of this Expedition; though some extend it to Joshua; and others understand it of the Tribes of Judah and Simeon.

Amalek] Amalek joyned here with the Canaanites, in this battell against the Israelites.

After thee Benjamin] After Ephraim came Benjamin, to assist in this warre.

Out of Machir] That half Tribe of Manasseh that dwelt within Canaan. For though the one half of the children of Machir had their inheritance in Gilead, Josh. XIII. 31. which is here blamed, ver. 17. yet the other half of Machirs children had their inheritance within Canaan; West of Jordan, Josh. XVII. 1, 2. who are here commended.

Judges 5:15

Barak] Not of Issachar: but of Naphtali, dwelling in Kedesh of Naphtali. Ch. IV. 6.

Divisions of Reuben] Divided among themselves touching this warre; or divided from the other Tribes, and deserting them in it.

Judges 5:19

Megiddo] Megiddo an eminent City which Manasseh had in Issachar, Josh. XVII. 11. not farre from Jezreel, and the river Kishon. Joshua slew the King of it, Josh. XII. 21. And Josiah was slaine, or had his deaths wound, in the valley of it, 2 King. XXIII. 29, 30. 2 Chron. XXXV. 34.

Taanach] Taanach a royal City, near Megiddo, Josh. XII. 21.

Took no gaine] Took none of Jabin; nor got any gaine by this fight with Israel.

Judges 5:20

The Stas] The Stars in their stations; by extraordinary influences, at Gods appointment, raising stormy Meteors, did help to ruine them. As it was in Ioshua’s time, Iosh. X. and in Samuels time, 1 Sam. VII. Or frighting them with dreadful noises, as in Iehorams time, 2 King. VII. 6.

Judges 5:31

Rest fourty years] from that eightieth year mentioned, Ch. III. 30. See the Annotations on Ch. III. 11. and the Observations on the beginning of this Book.