Judges 4:17-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 4:17-24

We have seen the army of the Canaanites totally 3434 routed. It is said (Ps. 83:9, 10, where the defeat of this army is pleaded as a precedent for God's doing the like in after times) that they became as dung for the earth. Now here we have, I. The fall of their general, Sisera, captain of the host, in whom, it is likely, Jabin their king put an entire confidence, and therefore was not himself present in the action. Let us trace the steps of this mighty man's fall. 1. He quitted his chariot,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 4:17

Howbeit, Sisera fled away on his feet ,.... Got off, and made his escape to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite ; before spoken of, Judges 4:11 ; and he made to that, because he might think himself safer in a tent than in a town; and especially in the tent of a woman, where he might imagine no search would be made; for women of note, in those times, had separate tents, see Genesis 24:67 ; and the rather he made his escape hither for a reason that follows: for there was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 4:18

And Jael went out to meet Sisera ,.... Seeing him coming, and knowing him full well, she stepped forward towards him, to invite him into her tent: some think she was looking out, that if she saw Israelite in distress to take him in; and very probably had been some time at her tent door, to inquire the battle went, and which, no doubt, living so near Kedesh, she knew was expected: and said unto him, turn in, my lord ; that is, into her tent: and she addresses him with the title of "lord",... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 4:19

And he said unto her, give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink, for I am thirsty ,.... Which might be occasioned by the heat of the battle, and by the heat of the day, and by heat in running; he asks for a little water, that being very desirable by persons athirst. Some think he did not ask for wine, because he knew the Kenites did not drink any, and so of course kept none in their tents; but though this was the custom of the Rechabites, who were the same with the Kenites, Jeremiah... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 4:20

And he said unto her, stand in the door of the tent ,.... This he said, not in an imperious way, as some think, but by entreaty: and it shall be, when any man shall come and inquire of thee ; seeing her at the door, and where he desired she would stand to prevent their coming into the tent: and say, is there any man here ? any besides what belongs to the family? or any of Sisera's army? that thou shalt say, no ; there is no man; but to this she made no answer that is recorded. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 4:21

Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a nail of the tent ,.... When she perceived he was fast asleep, and it being now put into her heart to kill him, having an impulse upon her spirit, which she was persuaded, by the effect it had upon her, that it was of God; not filling her with malice and revenge, but a concern for the glory of God, the interest of religion, and the good of Israel, she took this method to effect the death of this enemy of God, and his people; having no arms in the house, for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 4:22

And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera ,.... Knowing the way he took, at least as he supposed: Jael came out to meet him ; as she did Sisera, but with greater pleasure: and said unto him, come, and I will show thee the man whom thou seekest ; for she full well knew whom he was in pursuit of: and when he came into her tent ; at her invitation: behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples : which she did not attempt to draw out, but left it there, that it might be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 4:18

Jael went out to meet Sisera - He preferred the woman's tent because of secrecy; for, according to the etiquette of the eastern countries, no person ever intrudes into the apartments of the women. And in every dwelling the women have a separate apartment. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 4:19

She opened a bottle of milk - She gave more than he requested; and her friendship increased his confidence and security. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 4:20

Stand in the door of the tent - As no man would intrude into the women's apartment without permission, her simply saying, there is no man in my tent, would preclude all search. read more

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