The book of Judges honors Deborah as an outstanding leader in Israel. She was a prophetess, like Miriam (Ex. 15:20) and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), and also a judge. As judge, she "held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided" (Judges 4:5). Deborah also played a significant role in overthrowing the oppression of the Canaanites. She challenged Barak to lead the men of Naphtali and Zebulun into battle against the Canaanite army. When Barak begged her to accompany him, she agreed, and the Canaanites were routed. Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army escaped, yet died at the hands of another woman, Jael. The entire story of Deborah, along with her celebratory song, occurs in Judges 4-5.
