d in a song, the composition of which is
attributed to Deborah and Barak: "For that the leaders took the lead in
Israel, for that the people offered themselves willingly, bless ye the
Lord. Hear, O ye kings, give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing
unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord, the God of Israel."* The
poet then dwells on the sufferings of the people, but tells how Deborah
and Barak were raised up, and enumerates the tribes who took part in
the conflict as well as those who turned a deaf ear to the appeal. "Then
came down a remnant of the nobles and the people.... Out of Ephraim
came down they whose root is in Amalek:--out of Machir came down
governors,--and out of Zebulon they that handle the marshal's
staff.--And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah--as was Issachar
so was Barak,--into the valley they rushed forth at his feet.**--By the
watercourses of Reuben--there were great resolves of heart.--Why satest
thou among the sheepfolds,--to hear the pipings for the flocks?--At
the watercourses of Reuben--there were great searchings of heart--Gilead
abode beyond Jordan:--and Dan, why did he remain in ships?--Asher sat
still at the haven of the sea--and abode by his creeks.--Zebulon was a
people that jeoparded their lives unto the death,--and Naphtali upon the
high places of the field.--The kings came and fought;--then fought the
kings of Canaan.--In Taanach by the waters of Megiddo:--they took no
gain of money.--They fought from heaven,--the stars in their courses
fought against Sisera.--The river of Kishon swept them away,--that
ancient river, the river Kishon.--O my soul, march on with
strength.--Then did the horsehoofs stamp--by reason of the pransings,
the pransings of their strong ones."

* Judges v. 2, 3 (R.V.).

** The text of the song (Judges v. 14) contains an allusion
to Benjamin, which is considered by many critics to be an
interpolation. It gives a mistaken reading, "_Issachar_ with
Barak;" Issachar having been already mentioned with Deborah,
probably Zebulon should be inserted in the text.

Sisera flies, and the poet follows him in fancy, as if he feared to see
him escape from vengeance. He curses the people of Meroz in passing,
"because they came not to the help of the Lord." He addresses Jael and
blesses her, describing the manner in which the chief fell at her feet,
and then proceeds to show how, at the very time of Sisera's death, his
people were