Deborah Prophetess and Judge

After Ehud's death, Israel again does evil and God sells them into the hands of Jabin, king of Canaan. His commander Sisera cruelly oppresses Israel for twenty years with his nine hundred iron chariots.

Deborah, a prophetess and wife of Lappidoth, serves as judge over Israel. She holds court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, where Israelites come for judgment.

Deborah sends for Barak and delivers God's command: gather ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. God will draw out Sisera with his chariots and troops to the Kishon River and give him into Barak's hands.

Barak agrees to go only if Deborah accompanies him. She consents but prophesies that because of this, the honor of victory will go to a woman rather than to him. Deborah then travels with Barak to Kedesh.

At Deborah's command, Barak leads his forces down from Mount Tabor. The Lord throws Sisera and his chariots into confusion. The Kishon River sweeps them away. Sisera's entire army falls by the sword.

Sisera flees on foot and takes refuge in Jael's tent. She gives him milk and covers him. When he sleeps, she drives a tent peg through his temple. Deborah's prophecy is fulfilled: the glory goes to a woman.

Deborah and Barak sing one of the oldest Hebrew poems, celebrating God's victory. The song recounts the battle, praises the tribes who fought, rebukes those who stayed home, and exalts Jael's deed.

After Sisera's defeat and Jabin's destruction, the land has peace for forty years. Deborah's courageous leadership delivered Israel from one of its most powerful enemies.