Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord when Ehud was dead. So the Lord handed them over to Jabin king of Canaan, who ruled from Hazor. His army commander was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth of the Gentiles.

For twenty years, the children of Israel cried out to the Lord for help under Jabin's oppression, with nine hundred iron chariots at his disposal. During that time, Deborah, a prophetess and wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel. She was a wise and courageous leader who stood up for what was right.

Deborah dwelt in the hill country of Ephraim, near Ramah and Bethel, under her palm tree. There, she would often sit in judgment, offering guidance to those seeking it. The children of Israel came to her from all over, knowing they could trust her to give them wise counsel.

One day, Deborah sent a message to Barak son of Abinoam, calling him out of Kedesh-naphtali: "The Lord God of Israel has commanded you: 'Go and lead ten thousand men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun toward Mount Tabor.' The Lord will draw Sisera, Jabin's army commander, to the river Kishon with his chariots and troops. Then I will deliver him into your hand."

Barak replied to Deborah, "I'll go if you come with me." But Deborah assured him, "I will certainly accompany you, but be warned: the honor of this victory won't go to you. The Lord is going to give Sisera into a woman's hands."

Deborah and Barak traveled to Kedesh together, where he gathered ten thousand men from Zebulun and Naphtali to join him on Mount Tabor. Meanwhile, Heber the Kenite, a descendant of Hobab, Moses' father-in-law, had separated himself from his people and pitched his tent in the plain of Zaanaim near Kedesh.

Sisera received word that Barak was marching toward Mount Tabor with ten thousand men. Gathering all his chariots – nine hundred iron ones – and troops from Harosheth of the Gentiles, he set out to confront them at the Kishon River.

As Deborah encouraged Barak, she reminded him: "This is the day when the Lord has handed Sisera over to you." With renewed confidence, Barak descended Mount Tabor with ten thousand men behind him. The Lord caused confusion among Sisera's forces, and they were defeated by the sword. Barak pursued them to Harosheth of the Gentiles, where all their soldiers fell, not a single one remaining.

Sisera fled on foot, seeking refuge in the tent of Jael, Heber's wife, a Kenite who had friendly relations with Jabin, king of Hazor. When Sisera entered her tent, Jael covered him with a mantle and offered him milk to drink from a skin she opened for him.

As any traveler might have asked if there were others present in the tent, Jael instructed: "If anyone asks, tell them no one is here." But then, while Sisera slept, exhausted and unaware of his danger, Jael took a tent peg and drove it into both sides of his temples, securing him firmly to the ground.

When Barak finally arrived, Jael led him to Sisera's lifeless body. The Lord had subdued King Jabin before Israel on that day, putting an end to their long suffering under his rule.

The hand of Israel prospered and gained strength against Jabin king of Canaan until they completely destroyed him.