Deborah Prophetess and Judge

Deborah was a prophetess and the only female judge of Israel. She summoned Barak to lead the army against Sisera and accompanied him to battle. Her song of victory is recorded in Judges 5.

1. Israel Under Canaanite Oppressionc. 1209 BC

   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.

   JDG 4:1-3

2. Judging Israelc. 1209 BC

   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.

   JDG 4:4-5

3. Summoning Barakc. 1209 BC

   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.

   JDG 4:6-7

4. Barak's Conditionc. 1209 BC

   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.

   JDG 4:8-10

5. The Battlec. 1209 BC

   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.

   JDG 4:14-16

6. Sisera's Deathc. 1209 BC

   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.

   JDG 4:17-22

7. Song of Victoryc. 1209 BC

   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.

   JDG 5:1-31

8. Forty Years of Peacec. 1209-1169 BC

   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.

   JDG 5:31