Deborah

Deborah (Judges 4–5)

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

1. a
   beginning of oppression4:1–3Israel sins and is oppressed by King Jabin of Canaan; negative chronological note: oppression lasts twenty years
2. b
   Deborah's prediction about a woman killing Sisera4:4–9ainteraction between a brave woman (Deborah) and a weak military man (Barak)
3. c
   troops gather4:9b–13Barak goes up with his troops at his feet (bəraglô); Sisera gathers his troops for battle
4. d
   TURNING POINT: Yahweh gives victory4:14
5. c′
   troops disperse4:15b–16Sisera goes down from his chariot and flees on foot (bəraglô); Barak pursues fleeing enemy troops
6. b′
   Deborah's prediction comes true: Jael kills Sisera4:17–22interaction between a brave woman (Jael) and a weak military man (Sisera)
7. a′
   end of oppression4:23–5:31God ends the oppression of King Jabin of Canaan, and Israel oppresses and finally destroys Jabin; positive chronological note: land rests forty years; interlude: Song of Deborah (5:1–31)