11 Give ear to the women laughing by the water-springs; there they will give again the story of the upright acts of the Lord, all the upright acts of his arm in Israel.
Keep your places now, while I take up the argument with you before the Lord, and give you the story of the righteousness of the Lord, which he has made clear by his acts to you and to your fathers.
O my people, keep in mind now what was designed by Balak, king of Moab, and the answer which Balaam, son of Beor, gave him; the events, from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may be certain of the upright acts of the Lord.
But the herdmen of Gerar had a fight with Isaac's herdmen, for they said, The spring is ours: so he gave the spring the name of Esek, because there was a fight about it. Then they made another water-hole, and there was a fight about that, so he gave it the name of Sitnah. Then he went away from there, and made another water-hole, about which there was no fighting: so he gave it the name of Rehoboth, for he said, Now the Lord has made room for us, and we will have fruit in this land.
And the keepers of the sheep came up and were driving them away; but Moses got up and came to their help, watering their flock for them. And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that you have come back so quickly today? And they said, An Egyptian came to our help against the keepers of sheep and got water for us and gave it to the flock.
Then you are to take the two of them to the doorway of the town, and have them stoned to death; the young virgin, because she gave no cry for help, though it was in the town, and the man, because he has put shame on his neighbour's wife: so you are to put away evil from among you.
When I went out of my door to go up to the town, and took my seat in the public place,
Their sayings will be full of the memory of all your mercy, and they will make songs of your righteousness.
And a spirit of wisdom to the judge, and strength to those who keep back the attackers at the door of the town.
Take your place in the doorway of the Lord's house, and give out this word there, and say, Give ear to the word of the Lord, all you of Judah who come inside these doors to give worship to the Lord.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Judges 5
Commentary on Judges 5 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 5
This chapter contains the triumphal song which was composed and sung upon occasion of that glorious victory which Israel obtained over the forces of Jabin king of Canaan and the happy consequences of that victory. Probably it was usual then to publish poems upon such occasions, as now; but this only is preserved of all the poems of that age of the judges, because dictated by Deborah a prophetess, designed for a psalm of praise then, and a pattern of praise to after-ages, and it gives a great deal of light to the history of these times.
Jdg 5:1-5
The former chapter let us know what great things God had done for Israel; in this we have the thankful returns they made to God, that all ages of the church might learn that work of heaven to praise God.
Jdg 5:6-11
Here,
Jdg 5:12-23
Here,
Jdg 5:24-31
Deborah here concludes this triumphant song,
The victory here celebrated with this song was of such happy consequence to Israel that for the best part of one age they enjoyed the peace which it opened the way to: The land had rest forty years, that is, so long it was from this victory to the raising up of Gideon. And well would it have been if, when the churches and the tribes had rest, they had been edified, and had walked in the fear of the Lord.