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Matthew Henry on Judges 3:1-7
As the Israelites were a type of the church on earth, they were not to be idle and slothful. The Lord was pleased to try them by the remains of the devoted nations they spared. Temptations and trials detect the wickedne…
The Idolatry of the Israelites. (b. c. 1406.)
THE IDOLATRY OF THE ISRAELITES. (B. C. 1406.) We are here told what remained of the old inhabitants of Canaan. 1. There were some of them that kept together in united bodies, unbroken (Judges 3:3): The five lords of the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Judges 3:1-6
EXPOSITION 3:1 Now these are the nations, etc. We are now told in detail what was stated in general in 2:22, 2:23, after the common method of Hebrew narrative. To prove Israel. This word to prove is used here in a somew…
The Pulpit Commentary on Judges 3:7-11
EXPOSITION This section introduces us into the actual narrative of the Book of Judges, the prefatory matter being now concluded. The whole book proceeds on the same model as this section does. The apostasy of Israel; th…
Matthew Henry on Judges 3:8-11
The first judge was Othniel: even in Joshua's time Othniel began to be famous. Soon after Israel's settlement in Canaan their purity began to be corrupted, and their peace disturbed. But affliction makes those cry to Go…
The Government of Othniel. (b. c. 1336.)
THE GOVERNMENT OF OTHNIEL. (B. C. 1336.) We now come to the records of the government of the particular judges, the first of which was Othniel, in whom the story of this book is knit to that of Joshua, for even in Joshu…
Matthew Henry on Judges 3:12-30
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened aga…
Israel Oppressed by Eglon; Eglon Slain by Ehud. (b. c. 1336.)
ISRAEL OPPRESSED BY EGLON; EGLON SLAIN BY EHUD. (B. C. 1336.) Ehud is the next of the judges whose achievements are related in this history, and here is an account of his actions. I. When Israel sins again God raises up…
The Pulpit Commentary on Judges 3:13-31
EXPOSITION 3:13 The children of Ammon. The technical name of the Ammonite people (see Genesis 19:38; Deuteronomy 2:19, Deuteronomy 2:37; 10:6, 10:11, 10:17, etc.). Sometimes, however, they are called Ammon, or Ammonites…
Matthew Henry on Judges 3:31
The side of the country which lay south-west, was infested by the Philistines. God raised up Shamgar to deliver them; having neither sword nor spear, he took an ox-goad, the instrument next at hand. God can make those s…
Shamgar Slays Six Hundred Philistines. (b. c. 1316.)
SHAMGAR SLAYS SIX HUNDRED PHILISTINES. (B. C. 1316.) When it is said the land had rest eighty years, some think it meant chiefly of that part of the land which lay eastward on the banks of Jordan, which had been oppress…
Matthew Henry on Judges 4:1-3
The land had rest for eighty years, which should have confirmed them in their religion; but it made them secure, and indulge their lusts. Thus the prosperity of fools destroys them. Jabin and his general Sisera, mightil…
The Israelites Enslaved by Jabin. (b. c. 1285.)
THE ISRAELITES ENSLAVED BY JABIN. (B. C. 1285.) Here is, I. Israel backsliding from God: They again did evil in his sight, forsook his service, and worshipped idols; for this was the sin which now most easily beset them…
Matthew Henry on Judges 4:4-9
Deborah was a prophetess; one instructed in Divine knowledge by the inspiration of the Spirit of God. She judged Israel as God's mouth to them; correcting abuses, and redressing grievances. By God's direction, she order…
The Project of Deborah and Barak. (b. c. 1258.)
THE PROJECT OF DEBORAH AND BARAK. (B. C. 1258.) The year of the redeemed at length came, when Israel was to be delivered out of the hands of Jabin, and restored again to their liberty, which we may suppose the northern…
Matthew Henry on Judges 4:10-16
Siser's confidence was chiefly in his chariots. But if we have ground to hope that God goes before us, we may go on with courage and cheerfulness. Be not dismayed at the difficulties thou meetest with in resisting Satan…
Defeat of Sisera. (b. c. 1258.)
DEFEAT OF SISERA. (B. C. 1258.) Here, I. Barak beats up for volunteers, and soon has his quota of men ready, Judges 4:10. Deborah had appointed him to raise an army of 10,000 men (Judges 4:6), and so many he has present…
Matthew Henry on Judges 4:17-24
Sisera's chariots had been his pride and his confidence. Thus are those disappointed who rest on the creature; like a broken reed, it not only breaks under them, but pierces them with many sorrows. The idol may quickly…
Matthew Henry on Judges 4:17-24
We have seen the army of the Canaanites totally routed. It is said (Psalm 83:9-10, where the defeat of this army is pleaded as a precedent for God's doing the like in after times) that they became as dung for the earth.…
Matthew Henry on Judges 5:1-5
No time should be lost in returning thanks to the Lord for his mercies; for our praises are most acceptable, pleasant, and profitable, when they flow from a full heart. By this, love and gratitude would be more excited…
The Song of Deborah and Barak. (b. c. 1285.)
THE SONG OF DEBORAH AND BARAK. (B. C. 1285.) The former chapter let us know what great things God had done for Israel; in this we have the thankful returns they made to God, that all ages of the church might learn that…
The Pulpit Commentary on Judges 5:1-31
EXPOSITION 5:1 Then sang Deborah, etc. The ode which follows was doubtless the composition of Deborah the prophetess, and was sung by her (as the gender of the Hebrew verb indicates), assisted by Barak, who perhaps sang…
Matthew Henry on Judges 5:6-11
Deborah describes the distressed state of Israel under the tyranny of Jabin, that their salvation might appear more gracious. She shows what brought this misery upon them. It was their idolatry. They chose new gods, wit…
Matthew Henry on Judges 5:6-11
Here, I. Deborah describes the distressed state of Israel under the tyranny of Jabin, that the greatness of their trouble might make their salvation appear the more illustrious and the more gracious (Judges 5:6): From t…