Deborah takes a most effectual method to heighten to the view of the people, the deliverance their God had wrought for them, by dwelling more particularly upon their former misery. From their last judge Shamgar, it should seem that their enemies would not allow them any judge or governor; consequently they had no ministration of justice. Hence their highways were infested with robbers, and the poor traveler was obliged to seek out his path through intricate ways. Trade from caravans was of course no more; nay, the very villages were deserted, and their fields not tilled. Everything was wretched and miserable to poor Israel. The very places for drawing water it was dangerous to go to. And as for the armies of Israel, there seemed to be not a soldier among them. But wherefore this sad state? She says they had chose new gods; and this gave birth to the war. Alas! alas! that nation so favored, so blessed, so upheld by Jehovah, should have so far fallen, as to leave the Lord for the dunghill gods of wood and stone. Reader! do turn to that portion of God's expostulation by the Prophet, and when you have perused it put your hand to your heart, and ask whether it is not but too applicable to yourself, and God's people in all ages? Jeremiah 2:11-13.
Related Commentaries of Judges 5:6
Judges 5:6-8
6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellersb walked through byways.
7 The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.
8 They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?