Judges 5:8

"They chose new gods; Then was war in the gates: Was there a shield or a spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? My heart is toward the governors of Israel, They offered themselves willingly among the people: Bless ye Jehovah."

"They chose new gods" (Judges 5:8). Some scholars have labeled this verse difficult, but, as Yates said, "The most obvious meaning is that Israel turned to idolatry."[18] Davis agreed with this, writing that, "This was a time of open idolatry, for Israel chose new gods."[19]

There was, of course, a very disastrous consequence of the idolatry to which Israel at that time had given themselves. The cause of all their misery was not far to seek. "It was the idolatry of the people which provoked God to anger."[20]

"Was there a shield or spear seen ...?" (Judges 5:8) "This does not mean that there were no longer any weapons to be found among the Israelites. `Not seen' is not the equivalent of `not found.'"[21] Yes, of course, the Canaanites had done their best to disarm Israel, and no one dared to display a weapon, but Barak's ten thousand men mustered on Mount Tabor were most certainly armed.

"The governors ... offered themselves willingly" (Judges 5:9). In the deplorable weakness and oppression which Israel at that time was enduring, it was a very noble thing indeed that the governors of the various tribes (not all of them, but several of them) responded to Deborah's urgent appeal. "As Deborah thought of their patriotic devotion, her heart was filled with admiration and she broke out into thanksgiving and praise to Jehovah."[22]