because I knew not the day, that the Lord will send his Angell with mee. And answerable to this, it is said v. 14. This is the day, &c.
God shall sell Sisera into the hands of a woman: how this is meant see v. 12. this woman was Jael, who killed him, although some thinke it was Deborah, under whom the victory was obtained.
Barak having Deborah with him, cometh to Kedesh, and calleth together 10000. men, as hee was directed, and marcheth on with them: a poore com∣pany, as Ferus noteth, and that out of two of the meanest tribes, in com∣parison of the army with Sisera, which consisted, as Josephus hath it, of 100000 foot, and 10000. horse, besides 900 Chariots of iron. What could others thinke of this, but as of a rash attempt, rather to provoke the enemy to ty∣rannize more, then to subdue him? but Barak trusted in the word of God and prevailed.
Before any thing more set downe touchig Barak, to prepare to the Histo∣ry of Jaels exploit, the wife of Heber, which followeth v. 18. something is here interposed touching him; hee had severed himselfe from the Kenites, of whom hee was one, and pitched his tent in the plaine of Zanaim, neare Ke∣desh. This is set downe because Ch. 16. the Kenites, that came of Hobab Moses his Father in Law, are said to have gone and dwelt in the wildernesse of Judah, that it might not seeme strange, that one of them dwelt here in Naphtali, at this time For after their remove from Jericho to Judah, it seemeth, that Heber, by a singular providence was separated from the rest, that his wife might doe such a noble act, as this, the killing of Sisera. But still he fol∣lowed their orders, hee dwelt not in a towne, but abroad in a tent; see my notes upon Ch. 1. 16. For a plain, where he is said to have pitched his tent, Hebr. is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 an oake, or grove, as the Sept. render it, and Pag∣ninus, Cajetan, and others; and it is most likely, that it was a solitary place, and so fit for contemplation, amongst the trees, in which kinde of places the Kenites chose to dwell; and here Sisera might well thinke to lye hid, when be∣ing overcome afterwards he fled away to save his life. Junius also ren∣dereth it, quercetum. Sanaim, is also called Saananim, Josh. 19 33. being placed in the tribe of Naphtali, and so it is in the margin. Barak being come to Tabor, Sisera cometh out against him with a mighty army, and his 900 chariots of iron. Tabor was an high hill, and round, situated upon the borders of Issachar and Zabulon, from whence they might see afarre off. It was 30. furlongs high, saith Adrichomius, and had upon the top of it a plaine, 26 furlongs over, being unaccessible on the north, and it was a most fit place for Barak to gather his men unto, as being neare the tribes, out of which, and not far from Harasheth, so that Sisera could not but soone heare of them. It hath the name from Bor, signifying purity and serenity, and Adri∣chomius accordingly describeth it to bee most delightfull for the sweet aire, trees, fruits, flowers and all varieties of delights. When Sisera was come, Deborah incourageth Barak, telling him, that was the day, and that the Lord was gone out before him; whereupon hee descendeth with his men from the mount, and discomfiteth all Sisera his army: &c. For this word, discomfited them, the Vulgar Latin hath, terrified them, and this saith Lyra after Josephus, was done as Josh. 10. 10. by thunder and hailestones cast downe from heaven, which destroyed them, and 1 Sam. 7. 10. for in both these places the same word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is used, that in this place in our translation is rendred alwayes, discomfited, in the Vulgar Latin terrified. How God discomfited Sisera, is not here expressed, and therefore is uncertaine, whether by thunder and haile, or by causing a noise to be heard, as afterward by the Aramites. But something was cer∣tainly done from heaven, as appeareth, Ch. 5. 20. whereby the enemies were put to flight, and many of them for feare run into the river Kishon, and were drowned, as v. 21. And the slaughter was so generall, that not one of them esca∣ped, saving Sisera, who fled on foot to the tent of Heber, whose wife Iael kindely invited him to come in; for there was peace betwixt Iabin and Heber, &c. Here