Judges 5:13-18

Judges 5:13

Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.

Not only did the Lord give Israel the ultimate victory over King Jabin, but it was so thorough that the common people of Israel were once in captivity have now become the rulers over those who were once the lords and rulers of Canaan.  Deborah sings praises that she has now become ruler over the once mighty rulers because they are now the ones in subjection as their army has been totally decimated.

Judges 5:14

Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.

Deborah now extols the fact that it was the tribe of Ephraim who became the root or the source of the campaign against Jabin.  This is also where Deborah had her ministry of being a prophetess and the hearing of cases brought to her by the people.  They had gone against the Amalekites to prevent them from going into league with Jabin.  Ehud was of the tribe of Benjamin who slew Eglon the king of the Moabites who would now be unable to come to the aid of Jabin.  Machir was the tribe of Manasseh.  Joshua 13:31 (KJV)   And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.   Out of Machir came the governors, princes, and other leaders in Israel.  Their posterity seems to have been blessed with leadership abilities in many areas.  Out of Zebulun came those who were the scribes and those who were well-versed in the law who were normally exempt from military service also came out to help in this campaign against Jabin.

Judges 5:15

And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.

Those who ruled in the tribe of Issachar were also allied with Deborah in this campaign.  When the princes had shown themselves to be involved, the people of Issachar had followed their lead and went with Deborah.  Deborah gives special note to Barak who went toward the enemy on foot knowing that he was facing Jabin and the 900 chariots of iron.  It would be like in modern times, foot soldiers facing tanks in battle.  There was separation from the tribe of Reuben as they did not make any effort to join in this battle.  However, they all agreed to stay home and tend their sheep.

Judges 5:16

Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.

There were sent to Reuben messengers concerning the upcoming campaign against Jabin but when they received this request, they mused over it and decided that they would not get involved but would rather stay with their sheep which must have been plentiful.  Numbers 32:1 (KJV)   Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle;  So instead of rising to the occasion as the other tribes did, they chose to remain neutral and count their financial blessings instead.  Luke 14:17 (KJV)   And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.  The Reubenites are just like those in the parable of the Great Supper whereby the Lord sent out His people to call those who were bidden to the supper but they all made excuses and would not come.  Reuben did the same thing, they would rather sit in neutrality and in comfort in their possessions than join the battle for freedom.

Judges 5:17

Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.

Gilead was the tribe of Gad and other half tribe of Manasseh.  These also did not join in the fight to help their brethren.  Dan’s area was on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea decided not to get involved with the land battle and Asher chose to stay on their breaches which was a landing place or a mooring point for ships.

Judges 5:18

Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.