24 Blessed above women is Jael, Wife of Heber the Kenite, Above women in the tent she is blessed. 25 Water he asked—milk she gave; In a lordly dish she brought near butter. 26 Her hand to the pin she sendeth forth, And her right hand to the labourers' hammer, And she hammered Sisera—she smote his head, Yea, she smote, and it passed through his temple. 27 Between her feet he bowed—He fell, he lay down; Between her feet he bowed, he fell; Where he bowed, there he fell—destroyed. 28 Through the window she hath looked out—Yea, she crieth out—the mother of Sisera, Through the lattice: Wherefore is his chariot delaying to come? Wherefore tarried have the steps of his chariot? 29 The wise ones, her princesses, answer her, Yea, she returneth her sayings to herself: 30 Do they not find?—they apportion spoil, A female—two females—for every head, Spoil of finger-work for Sisera, Spoil of embroidered finger-work, Finger-work—a pair of embroidered things, For the necks of the spoil! 31 So do all Thine enemies perish, O Jehovah, And those loving Him 'are' As the going out of the sun in its might!' and the land resteth forty years.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 5:24-31
Commentary on Judges 5:24-31
(Read Judges 5:24-31)
Jael had a special blessing. Those whose lot is cast in the tent, in a low and narrow sphere, if they serve God according to the powers he has given them, shall not lose their reward. The mother of Sisera looked for his return, not in the least fearing his success. Let us take heed of indulging eager desires towards any temporal good, particularly toward that which cherishes vain-glory, for that was what she here doted on. What a picture does she present of an ungodly and sensual heart! How shameful and childish these wishes of an aged mother and her attendants for her son! And thus does God often bring ruin on his enemies when they are most puffed up. Deborah concludes with a prayer to God for the destruction of all his foes, and for the comfort of all his friends. Such shall be the honour, and joy of all who love God in sincerity, they shall shine for ever as the sun in the firmament.