Judges 5:17-27

17 The people of Gilead stayed east of the Jordan River. People of Dan, why did you stay by the ships? The people of Asher stayed at the seashore, at their safe harbors.

18 But the people of Zebulun risked their lives, as did the people of Naphtali on the battlefield.

19 "The kings came, and they fought. at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo. But they took away no silver or possessions of Israel.

20 The stars fought from heaven; from their paths, they fought Sisera.

21 The Kishon River swept Sisera's men away, that old river, the Kishon River. March on, my soul, with strength!

22 Then the horses' hoofs beat the ground. Galloping, galloping go Sisera's mighty horses.

23 'May the town of Meroz be cursed,' said the angel of the Lord. 'Bitterly curse its people, because they did not come to help the Lord. They did not fight the strong enemy.'

24 "May Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, be blessed above all women who live in tents.

25 Sisera asked for water, but Jael gave him milk. In a bowl fit for a ruler, she brought him cream.

26 Jael reached out and took the tent peg. Her right hand reached for the workman's hammer. She crushed and pierced the side of his head!

27 At Jael's feet he sank. He fell, and he lay there. At her feet he sank. He fell. Where Sisera sank, there he fell, dead!

Judges 5:17-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 5

This chapter contains a song of praise on account of the victories obtained over Jabin, and his kingdom; after an exhortation to praise is given, and kings excited to attend to it, the majestic appearance of God at Seir, on Sinai, is observed, to raise in the mind a divine veneration of him, Jud 5:1-5; then the miserable state and condition Israel was in before these victories, and therefore had the more reason to be thankful, Jud 5:6-8; the governors, and judges, and the people that were delivered, together with Deborah and Barak, are stirred up to rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord, and bless his name, Jud 5:9-13; and those who willingly engaged in the war are praised, and such who were negligent reproved, and some even cursed, Jud 5:14-23; but Jael, Heber's wife, is particularly commended for her exploit in slaying Sisera, Jud 5:24-27; and the mother of Sisera, and her ladies, are represented as wondering at his long delay, and as assured of his having got the victory, Jud 5:28-30; and the song is concluded with a prayer for the destruction, of the enemies of the Lord, and for the happiness and glory of them that love him, Jud 5:31.