Deborah, Barak, and Jael – A Surprising Victory (Judges 4:4-24)
During the time of the Judges, the people of Israel often turned away from God. Because of this, they faced many problems. In this story, they were being treated badly by King Jabin of Canaan. His army commander, Sisera, had 900 iron chariots and ruled over Israel harshly for 20 years.
The people were tired of the suffering. They cried out to God for help. And God answered.
A Brave Woman Leads the Way
At that time, a woman named Deborah was leading Israel. She was a prophet and a judge who listened to God and helped guide the people. Deborah called a man named Barak and gave him a message from God: he was to gather an army and go fight Sisera.
Barak agreed, but only if Deborah would go with him. She said yes, but told him that the honor of the victory would not go to him—it would go to a woman.
A Battle Begins
Barak gathered 10,000 men and went to Mount Tabor, just as God had said. Sisera heard about it and brought his army and chariots to fight.
But God was in control. He caused confusion in Sisera’s army. Barak and his men won the battle, and all of Sisera’s soldiers were defeated. Sisera himself ran away on foot, looking for safety.
Jael’s Bold Choice
Sisera came to the tent of a woman named Jael. Her husband was Heber, a Kenite, who was friendly with King Jabin. So Sisera thought he would be safe there.
Jael welcomed him, gave him milk, and let him lie down to rest. But when Sisera fell asleep, Jael quietly took a tent peg and a hammer—and killed him. Just like Deborah had said, a woman would receive the credit for the victory.
A Great Victory for Israel
Soon after, Barak came looking for Sisera. Jael showed him what she had done. Through this surprising series of events, God gave Israel victory over a strong enemy. After that, Israel became stronger and eventually defeated King Jabin completely.
What We Can Learn
This story reminds us that God can use anyone—men or women—to do something important. Deborah led with wisdom and courage. Barak trusted God and went into battle. And Jael acted bravely when the moment came.
God can use unexpected people in surprising ways. When we trust Him and follow His lead, even difficult situations can lead to victory.
Judges 4:4-24 (WEB)
4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time. 5 She lived under Deborah’s palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6 She sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh Naphtali, and said to him, “Hasn’t the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded, ‘Go and lead the way to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 7 I will draw to you, to the river Kishon, Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into your hand.’ ”8 Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.”9 She said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the journey that you take won’t be for your honor; for the LORD will sell Sisera into a woman’s hand.” Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.10 Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him; and Deborah went up with him. 11 Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, even from the children of Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law, and had pitched his tent as far as the oak in Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh. 12 They told Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor. 13 Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles, to the river Kishon.14 Deborah said to Barak, “Go; for this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Hasn’t the LORD gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. 15 The LORD confused Sisera, all his chariots, and all his army, with the edge of the sword before Barak. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled away on his feet. 16 But Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth of the Gentiles; and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword. There was not a man left.17 However 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. 18 Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; don’t be afraid.” He came in to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug.19 He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink; for I am thirsty.”She opened a container of milk, and gave him a drink, and covered him.20 He said to her, “Stand in the door of the tent, and if any man comes and inquires of you, and says, ‘Is there any man here?’ you shall say, ‘No.’ ”21 Then Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him, and struck the pin into his temples, and it pierced through into the ground, for he was in a deep sleep; so he fainted and died. 22 Behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you seek.” He came to her; and behold, Sisera lay dead, and the tent peg was in his temples. 23 So God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel on that day. 24 The hand of the children of Israel prevailed more and more against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.