Judges 4:2-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 4:1-3

Here is, I. Israel backsliding from God: They again did evil in his sight, forsook his service, and worshipped idols; for this was the sin which now most easily beset them, Jdg. 4:1. See in this, 1. The strange strength of corruption, which hurries men into sin notwithstanding the most frequent experience of its fatal consequences. The bent to backslide is with great difficulty restrained. 2. The common ill effects of a long peace. The land had rest eighty years, which should have confirmed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 4:2

And the Lord sold them ,.... Delivered them into a state of bondage and slavery, where they were like men sold for slaves, see Judges 3:8 , into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor ; there was a city of this name, and a king of it of the same name, as here, in the times of Joshua, which city was taken and burnt by him, and its king slain, Joshua 11:1 ; and either the country about it is here meant, as Jericho in the preceding chapter is put for the country... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 4:3

And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord ,.... Because of their hard bondage, and begged deliverance from it, being brought to a sense of their sins, and humbled for them: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron ; the same with the αρματα το δρεπανηφορα , chariots which carried scythes at the side of them, fastened to the orbs of the wheels F24 Vid. Suidam in voce δρεπανηφορα . , and were on both sides; and in some stood out ten cubits F25 Curtius, l. 4. c.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 4:2

Jabin king of Canaan - Probably a descendant of the Jabin mentioned Joshua 11:1 , etc., who had gathered together the wrecks of the army of that Jabin defeated by Joshua. Calmet supposes that these Canaanites had the dominion over the tribes of Naphtali, Zebulun, and Issachar; while Deborah judged in Ephraim, and Shamgar in Judah. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 4:3

Nine hundred chariots of iron - Chariots armed with iron scythes, as is generally supposed; they could not have been made all of iron, but they might have been shod with iron, or had iron scythes projecting from the axle on each side, by which infantry might be easily cut down or thrown into confusion. The ancient Britons are said to have had such chariots. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 4:2

See Joshua 11:1 note. Since the events there narrated, Hazor must have been rebuilt, and have resumed its position as the metropolis of the northern Canaanites; the other cities must also have resumed their independence, and restored the fallen dynasties.Harosheth (identified by Conder with El Harathlyeh, see Judges 4:6) is marked by the addition of the Gentiles, as in Galilee of the nations Genesis 14:1; Isaiah 9:1. The name Harosheth signifies workmanship, cutting and carving, whether in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 4:3

Oppressed - The same word is used Exodus 3:9 of the oppression of Israel by the Egyptians. If they were put to task-work in hewing timber, their condition was very like that of their ancestors making bricks. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 4:2

Judges 4:2. Jabin This Jabin was probably descended from the other prince of that name, who fell by the hands of Joshua, Joshua 11:11. He doubtless had watched all opportunities to recover his ancient possessions, and to revenge his own and his father’s quarrel. King of Canaan That is, of the land where most of the Canaanites, strictly so called, now dwelt, which seems to have been the northern part of Canaan. That reigned in Hazor In the territory or kingdom of Hazor, which might now... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 4:3

Judges 4:3. Mightily oppressed More than former tyrants, from his malice and hatred against the Israelites, and from God’s just judgment, the growing punishment being suitable to their aggravated wickedness. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 4:1-24

Deliverance under Deborah (4:1-5:31)Hazor, chief city of the north, had been conquered and burnt by Joshua (Joshua 11:10-13). However, not all the people had been destroyed. Having rebuilt Hazor, they now took revenge on the northern tribes, especially Zebulun and Naphtali, and ruled them cruelly for twenty years (4:1-3). (To understand fully how God saved Israel at this time, we must read the historical outline in Chapter 4 together with the song of victory in Chapter 5.)Israel’s deliverer on... read more

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