And Barak said unto her— Does not Barak shew here some degree of incredulity, ill agreeing with that eulogy given of him by St. Paul, Hebrews 11:32? Certainly not: his is not the language of incredulity, but of prudence and precaution. He doubts not that Deborah speaks to him in the name of the Lord; he refuses not to undertake what she enjoins; but he is solicitous that she should attend him, both to assist him with her advice, and to inspire his soldiers with the courage necessary for so hazardous an undertaking. See Calmet. Deborah tells him, Judges 4:9. (according to Mr. Saurin's exposition,) that if she was in his army, it was to her that they would attribute the victory, and that it would be a kind of dishonour for him, that a woman should carry away that glory which ought to be the ambition of the general; but I should rather think that the words of Deborah allude to Jael's exploit.
REFLECTIONS.—Twenty years the iron yoke of Jabin lay heavy upon Israel; when now at last God hears his people's cry, and comes to deliver them. Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, at that time judged Israel. She was raised up by the spirit of God, endued with wisdom, and favoured with prophetic foresight. All these gifts, as her name implies, she industriously employed for the public; sweet to her friends, but armed with a sting to smite her enemies. To her the people resorted for judgment in their controversies, and for direction in their religious concerns. Her abode, or rather her seat of justice, was under a palm-tree in mount Ephraim. Grieved at the sufferings of the people, she here, under a divine impulse, forms plans for their rescue; but being, as a woman, unfit to head the armies in the field, she calls Barak to her assistance. Him she directs what forces to levy, points out the encampment, and assures him from God, that, strong as the hosts of Jabin were, yet they and their captain should both fall into his hand. Barak hesitates; yet, if she will go with him, consents to undertake the expedition; her presence, as a prophetess, being more his dependence than the sword of his soldiers: Note; (1.) When we go to war against our spiritual enemies, it is a great encouragement to have the advice and prayers of those upon whose experience and piety we can depend. (2.) When God will destroy his enemies, their resistance is in vain; and their gathering to battle, is only rushing into the snare.