Part 5 (1/2)

The rulers ceased in Israel, they ceased, Until than didst arise, Deborah, Until thou didst arise a mother in Israel.

[Sidenote: _The rally about Deborah and Barak_]

Then the people of Jehovah went down to the gates, crying, ”Arise, arise, Deborah, Arise, arise, strike up the song!

Arise Barak, and take thy captives, thou son of Abinoam!”

So a remnant went down against the powerful, The people of Jehovah went down against the mighty, From Ephraim they rushed forth into the valley, Thy brother Benjamin among thy peoples, From Machir went down, commanders, And from Zebulun those who carry the marshal's staff.

And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; And Napthali was even so with Barak, Into the valley they rushed forth at his back.

[Sidenote: _The cowards who remained at home_]

By the brooks of Reuben great were the resolves!

Why didst they sit among the sheepfolds, Listening to the pipings for the flocks?

By the brooks of Reuben there were great questionings!

Gilead remained beyond the Jordan; And Dan, why does he stay by the s.h.i.+ps as an alien?

Asher sits still by the sh.o.r.e of the sea, And remains by its landings.

[Sidenote: _The battle and defeat of the Canaanites_]

Zebulun was a people who exposed their lives to deadly peril, And Napthali on the heights of the open field.

Bless Jehovah!

Kings came, they fought; Then fought the kings of Canaan, At Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; They took no booty of silver.

From heaven fought the stars, From their courses fought against Sisera.

The river Kishon swept them away, The ancient river, the river Kishon.

O my soul, march on with strength!

Then did the horse-hoofs resound With the galloping, galloping of the powerful steeds.

[Sidenote: _David's dirge over Saul and Jonathan_]

In the Book of the Upright is included that touching elegy which David sang after the death of Saul and Jonathan, and which stands next to the Song of Deborah as one of the earliest surviving examples of Old Testament literature.

[Footnote: ”Student's Old Testament,” Vol. II., pp. 113,114.]

[Sidenote: _The greatness of the calamity_]

Weep, O Judah!

Grieve, O Israel!

On thy heights are the slain!

How have the mighty fallen!

Tell it not in Gath, Declare it not in the streets of Askelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncirc.u.mcised exult.

Ye mountains of Gilboa, may no dew descend, Nor rain upon you, O ye fields of death!

For there was the s.h.i.+eld of the mighty cast away, The s.h.i.+eld of Saul, not anointed with oil.

[Sidenote: _Bravery and attractiveness of the fallen_]