Judges 5

No doubt the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Asher believed it was in their best interest not to join the battle against Sisera: they didn’t want to get involved, they didn’t want to take the risk, they had their own affairs to tend to. But in the end they were the losers; they incurred Deborah’s (and God’s) displeasure. Those who do not step forward and volunteer their services to God will always miss the blessings God gives to those who serve Him with all their heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12; 11:13–15).

19–23 Here Deborah describes the actual battle, which took place in the valley of the Kishon River (verse 21). Even the stars fought (verse 20)—a poetic way of saying that God and His angels were fighting on the side of Israel (Matthew 26:53). God sent rain and caused the river to rise, and thus swept . . . away the army of Sisera. His horses thundered off in wild retreat (verse 22). In verse 23, mention is made of the Israelite town of Meroz in the territory of Naphtali; because its people did not join in the fight, the town was cursed by the Lord.

24–27 These verses describe Jael’s killing of Sisera with a tent peg (see Judges 4:1722 and comment).

28–30 In these verses, Deborah imagines the mother of Sisera waiting for her son to return from the battle. He is delayed; she is worried. She and her ladies try to comfort themselves with the thought that he is merely collecting plunder and will soon return with captured maidens and expensive garments.

31 The song ends with Deborah expressing hope that Israel’s future battles will be as successful as the battle with Sisera’s army. May the Lord’s enemies perish! But may those who love the Lord rise like the sun (Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 6:5).