Judges Chapter 4

Judges 4 tells the story of Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, during a time when the Israelites were oppressed by Jabin, the king of Canaan. Deborah summoned Barak, an Israelite military leader, and instructed him to gather an army of ten thousand men to confront Jabin’s commander, Sisera.

Barak agreed to go into battle, but he requested that Deborah accompany him. She agreed but prophesied that due to Barak’s lack of faith, the victory would be credited to a woman instead of him. Barak assembled his troops, and they marched towards Mount Tabor.

Deborah then sent a message to Barak, informing him that the time had come to engage Sisera’s army. Barak and his forces attacked, causing panic among the enemy troops. Sisera, however, managed to escape on foot and sought refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber.

Jael welcomed Sisera, offering him milk to drink and a place to rest. As he fell asleep, Jael drove a tent peg through his temple, killing him. When Barak arrived at the scene, he discovered that Sisera had been slain by the hand of a woman, just as Deborah had foretold.

The story concludes with the Israelites gaining the upper hand over Jabin’s army, and Deborah and Barak celebrating their victory in a song of praise to God.