1 And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.
2 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host [was] Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
3 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, [saying], Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, [then] I will not go.
9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
10 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
11 Now Heber the Kenite, [which was] of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which [is] by Kedesh.
12 And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, [even] nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that [were] with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this [is] the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
15 And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all [his] chariots, and all [his] host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off [his] chariot, and fled away on his feet.
16 But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; [and] there was not a man left.
17 Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for [there was] peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
18 And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.
19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
20 Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.
21 Then Jael Heber’s wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.
22 And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her [tent], behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail [was] in his temples.
23 So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.
24 And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
Overview of Judges Chapter 4
Judges Chapter 4 narrates the story of Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, and her role in the deliverance of the Israelites from Canaanite oppression. This chapter highlights themes of leadership, faith, and divine intervention, illustrating how God uses individuals to fulfill His purposes.
Key Characters
- Deborah: A prophetess and the only female judge mentioned in the Book of Judges, she leads Israel during a time of oppression.
- Barak: A military leader chosen by Deborah to lead the Israelite army against Sisera.
- Sisera: The commander of Jabin’s army, representing the oppressive Canaanite forces.
- Jael: The wife of Heber the Kenite, who plays a crucial role in the defeat of Sisera.
- Jabin: The king of Canaan who oppresses the Israelites.
Historical Context
The chapter is set during a time when the Israelites had turned away from God, leading to their oppression by the Canaanites. The Israelites cried out to God for help, prompting Him to raise Deborah as a leader. This period reflects the cyclical nature of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes the Book of Judges.
Summary of Events
- Deborah’s Leadership (Verses 1-5):
Deborah is introduced as a judge and prophetess who holds court under a palm tree. The Israelites come to her for judgment, indicating her respected status.
- God’s Command (Verses 6-7):
Deborah summons Barak and relays God’s command to gather an army to confront Sisera. She emphasizes that God will deliver Sisera into their hands.
- Barak’s Hesitation (Verses 8-10):
Barak expresses doubt and insists that he will only go if Deborah accompanies him. This reflects his reliance on her prophetic authority and leadership.
- The Battle (Verses 11-16):
Deborah and Barak lead the Israelite army into battle. God intervenes, causing confusion among Sisera’s forces, leading to their defeat.
- Jael’s Deception (Verses 17-22):
Sisera flees and seeks refuge in Jael’s tent. She offers him hospitality but ultimately kills him, fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy that a woman would defeat Sisera.
- Victory Celebration (Verses 23-24):
The chapter concludes with the Israelites gaining strength against Jabin, leading to his eventual downfall. This victory is celebrated as a testament to God’s deliverance.
Thematic Analysis
- Leadership and Gender:
Deborah’s role as a female leader challenges traditional gender roles and highlights the importance of women in biblical narratives.
- Faith and Obedience:
Barak’s initial reluctance to go into battle without Deborah illustrates the complexities of faith and the need for divine assurance.
- Divine Intervention:
The chapter emphasizes that victories come from God’s intervention rather than human strength, showcasing His sovereignty.
- Justice and Retribution:
Jael’s act of killing Sisera serves as a form of divine justice, fulfilling God’s promise of deliverance for His people.
Conclusion
Judges Chapter 4 serves as a powerful narrative of God’s faithfulness and the importance of courageous leadership. Through Deborah, Barak, and Jael, the chapter illustrates how God can use anyone, regardless of societal norms, to accomplish His will and deliver His people from oppression.
