Judges 4:1-4

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 4:4-9

The year of the redeemed at length came, when Israel was to be delivered out of the hands of Jabin, and restored again to their liberty, which we may suppose the northern tribes, that lay nearest to the oppressors and felt most the effects of his fury, did in a particular manner cry to God for. For the oppression of the poor, and the sighing of the needy, now will God arise. Now here we have, I. The preparation of the people for their deliverance, by the prophetic conduct and government of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 4:1

And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord ,.... Which was the fruit and effect of the long rest and peace they enjoyed; and which is often the case of a people favoured with peace, plenty, and prosperity, who are apt to abuse their mercies, and forget God, the author and giver of them; and the principal evil, though not expressed, was idolatry, worshipping Baalim, the gods of the nations about them; though it is highly probable they were guilty of other sins, which... 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

John Gill

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

And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth ,.... Deborah was a name common to women with the eastern people, see Genesis 35:8 ; as Melissa, which is of the same signification with the Greeks, and both signify a "bee"; and to which Deborah answered in her industry, sagacity, and sweetness of temper to her friends, and sharpness to her enemies: she was a "prophetess", and foretold things to come, as the drawing of Sisera and his army to a certain place named by her, the victory that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 4:1

When Ehud was dead - Why not when Shamgar was dead? Does this not intimate that Shamgar was not reckoned in the number of the judges? 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

Adam Clarke

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

Deborah , a prophetess - One on whom the Spirit of God descended, and who was the instrument of conveying to the Israelites the knowledge of the Divine will, in things sacred and civil. She judged Israel - This is, I believe, the first instance of gynaecocrasy, or female government, on record. Deborah seems to have been supreme both in civil and religious affairs; and Lapidoth, her husband, appears to have had no hand in the government. But the original may as well be translated... read more

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