Deborah the Judge
Deborah, prophetess and judge of Israel, summons Barak to lead God's people against the Canaanite oppressor Sisera, prophesying that the honor of victory will go to a woman.
Judges 4:1-24, Judges 5:1-31
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The Story
In an era when Israel had no king and 'every man did that which was right in his own eyes,' God raised up judges to deliver His people. Among these judges, Deborah stands uniquely as both prophetess and civil leader, described as 'a mother in Israel.' She held court under a palm tree in the hill country of Ephraim, where the children of Israel came to her for judgment.
For twenty years, Jabin king of Canaan had cruelly oppressed Israel, and his military commander Sisera possessed nine hundred chariots of iron. Deborah summoned Barak of Naphtali and delivered the Lord's command: take ten thousand men to Mount Tabor, where God would draw out Sisera and deliver him into Barak's hand. Barak would go only if Deborah accompanied him. Deborah agreed but prophesied that the honor of victory would go to a woman.
The battle at the river Kishon showcased divine intervention. When Barak descended from Tabor, the Lord discomfited Sisera's army, and the river swept away the Canaanite forces. Sisera fled on foot to the tent of Jael, who offered him hospitality but then, while he slept, drove a tent peg through his temple, fulfilling Deborah's prophecy.
Deborah's song of victory in Judges 5 celebrates God's triumph over His enemies. Her faithful leadership brought forty years of peace to Israel.
Deborah the Brave Judge
Kids Version
Long ago in Israel, there was a very special woman named Deborah. God had chosen her to be a judge, which meant she was a leader who helped people solve their problems and follow God. People came from all over Israel to sit under her palm tree and hear her wise advice.
For twenty years, a mean king named Jabin had been cruel to the Israelites, and his army commander Sisera had 900 chariots made of iron. But Deborah knew that God was stronger than any army. God told Deborah to send for a man named Barak and give him a message: 'God wants you to take 10,000 men and go to Mount Tabor. God will help you defeat Sisera's army there.' Barak said he would go, but only if Deborah came with him. Deborah agreed, but she told him that because he wanted her to come, a woman would get the honor for the victory.
When the battle began, God confused Sisera's whole army. Even though they had 900 iron chariots, God made the river flood and sweep many of them away. Sisera ran away on foot and hid in a woman named Jael's tent. Jael was very brave and defeated him.
After the battle, Deborah sang a beautiful song praising God for the victory. Because of Deborah's faithful leadership, Israel had peace for forty years! Deborah's story teaches us that God can use anyone to do great things when they listen to Him and obey.
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Characters in This Story
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Scripture — Judges 4:1-24 (KJV)
1And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.
2And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
3And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
4And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
5And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
6And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
7And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
8And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
9And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
10And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
11Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
12And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
13And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon. together: Heb. by cry, or, proclamation
14And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
15And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
16But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left. a man: Heb. unto one
17Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
18And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. mantle: or, rug, or, blanket
19And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
20Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.
21Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. and took: Heb. and put
22And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.
23So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.
24And the hand of the children of Israel prospered , and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan. prospered: Heb. going went and was hard
Memory Verse
“And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.”
— Judges 4:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Deborah the Judge” in the Bible?
Deborah, prophetess and judge of Israel, summons Barak to lead God's people against the Canaanite oppressor Sisera, prophesying that the honor of victory will go to a woman. This story is found in Judges 4:1-24, Judges 5:1-31.
Where is “Deborah the Judge” found in the Bible?
“Deborah the Judge” is found in Judges 4:1-24, Judges 5:1-31, in the book of Judges.
What can children learn from “Deborah the Judge”?
This story teaches children about Godly Leadership, Prophetic Authority, Courage in Crisis, Divine Sovereignty. Deborah was a wise leader and prophet who helped God's people defeat a powerful enemy army with 900 iron chariots.