Chapter 47: Israel after Joshua and the First Deliverers

Study notes

After Joshua dies, a new generation does not know Yahweh, Israel goes after other gods, and Yahweh raises up judges who save them from their enemies. Deborah calls Barak to fight Sisera, and he agrees only if she goes with him; later, as Barak chases Sisera, Jael shows him Sisera lying dead.

From Judges 2:6–10 (KoS), Judges 2:16–19 (KoS), Judges 4:6–9 (KoS), Judges 4:22–24 (KoS).

These notes and questions are original study helps written for this site, not scripture. The verses shown with each question are quoted from the Kingdoms of Scripture Bible.

Notice and discuss

Read each passage, then think about the question on your own or talk it over with others. No answers are collected.

1. At Bochim, what does the messenger of Yahweh say the people have failed to do, and what does he say will follow?

   The messenger of Yahweh went up from Gilgal to Bochim, and he said, I brought you up from Egypt and brought you into the land that I swore to your fathers. I said, I will not break my covenant with you forever. And you, you shall not cut a covenant for the inhabitants of this land. Their altars you shall tear down. You have not listened to my voice. What is this you have done? And I also said, I will not drive them out from before you, and they shall be sides to you, and their gods shall be a snare to you.

   Judges 2:1–3 (KoS)

   Note · Translation The messenger speaks these words in the first person. Bochim is named in verse 5 from the weeping.

   Note · Translation Letsiddim is “as sides.” The line does not add a word for thorns.

2. What does Ehud say to the king, and what do the people standing near him do?

   When he finished bringing the gift near, he sent away the people who carried the gift. He himself turned back from the carved images that were by Gilgal, and he said, I have a secret word for you, king. He said, Quiet. All who were standing by him went out from him. Ehud came in to him. He was sitting by himself in the cool upper room that belonged to him. Ehud said, I have a word of God for you. He rose from the seat.

   Judges 3:18–20 (KoS)

   Note · Translation Aliyat ha-meqerah is the upper room of cooling. “A word of God” is Elohim, not the name Yahweh.

3. What does Deborah tell Barak once Sisera has gathered his chariots, and what does Barak do next?

   They told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor. Sisera called together all his chariotry, nine hundred iron chariots, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth-haggoyim to the Wadi Kishon. Deborah said to Barak, Get up, for this is the day when Yahweh has given Sisera into your hand. Has not Yahweh gone out before you? Barak went down from Mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

   Judges 4:12–14 (KoS)