Judges 5:9

9 My heart goes out to Israel's commanders, to those people who volunteered. Praise the LORD!

Judges 5:9 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 5:9

My heart is towards the governors of Israel
Most of the Jewish commentators interpret this of their wise men and Scribes, who were willing to teach the people the law and the commandments, even in times of trouble, and did not cease from doing it on that account, and therefore Deborah praises them for it; so the Targum; but Kimchi and Ben Melech understand by them the great men of the nation, their nobles and rulers, who enacted good laws and statutes; or at least took care to see that the good laws they had were put in execution; and these had a share in the affections and good wishes of Deborah, and that chiefly for the following reason:

that offered themselves willingly among the people;
to go along with them, and march at the head of them, to fight Sisera and his army; thereby setting a good example, and animating the people to battle, and inspiring them with courage and intrepidity; when they saw their chiefs and the heads of them exposing their lives with them in defence of their country, and the rights of it:

bless ye the Lord;
for giving them such spirits, to engage so willingly in this service, and for giving them success in it.

Judges 5:9 In-Context

7 Villages in Israel were deserted-- deserted until I, Deborah, took a stand-- took a stand as a mother of Israel.
8 When the people chose new gods, war broke out inside the city gates. Not a weapon was seen among 40,000 in Israel.
9 My heart goes out to Israel's commanders, to those people who volunteered. Praise the LORD!
10 You people who ride on brown donkeys, who sit on saddle blankets, and who walk on the road--think.
11 Listen to the voices of those singing at the wells. Over and over again they repeat the victories of the LORD, the victories for his villages in Israel. Then the LORD's people went down to the city gates.
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