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. Reflection This verse brings the battle to an unexpected end. […]
Judges
he book of Judges is a historical account of Israel during the period between Joshua and the monarchy, highlighting cycles of rebellion, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. It tells the stories of God raising leaders—called judges—who delivered His people from their enemies and guided them back to faithfulness. Judges illustrates both the consequences of turning from God and the power of His mercy when the people repent.
Judges emphasizes God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and patience. Despite Israel’s repeated disobedience, God raises deliverers to protect and restore His people. The book shows that leadership, courage, and reliance on God are essential in times of moral and social chaos.
This book challenges believers to recognize the dangers of turning from God, the importance of faithful leadership, and the necessity of obedience and trust. Judges also demonstrates that God’s mercy and guidance are available even in times of failure and uncertainty.
Explore the book of Judges to learn from Israel’s history, understand God’s justice and mercy, and see how He works through faithful leaders to fulfill His purposes.
Judges 4:23
So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.
Judges 4:24
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.
Judges 4:3
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.
Judges 4:4
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
Judges 4:5
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.
Judges 4:6
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?
Judges 4:7
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.
Judges 4:8
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.
Judges 4:9
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.
Judges 5:1
Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,
Judges 5:10
Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.
Judges 5:11
They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.
Judges 5:12
Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.
Judges 5:13
Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.
Judges 5:14
Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.
Judges 5:15
And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.
Judges 5:16
Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
Judges 5:17
Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.
Judges 5:18
Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
Judges 5:19
The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.
Judges 5:2
Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
Judges 5:20
They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.
Judges 5:21
The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.
Judges 5:22
Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones.
Judges 5:23
Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.
Judges 5:24
Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
Judges 5:25
He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
Judges 5:26
She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.
Judges 5:27
At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.