“Because the leaders took the lead in Israel, because the people offered themselves willingly, be blessed, LORD!
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 2. Lord. Hebrew may have different senses: “bless the Lord for having avenged Israel, the people willingly exposing themselves, or shewing their concurrence.” Roman Septuagint “What was hidden has been disclosed in Israel, when the people shewed their good will, bless the Lord.” Pora, which the Vulg. has not expressed, commonly means to disclose, liberate, and so forth; ethondob signifies to give freely, to expose one’s self, and so forth Septuagint and Theodotion together, ( Calmet.) and the Alex. copy have, “bless the Lord, for that leaders have risen up in Israel, and the people have shewn their good will.” These two things were to be greatly desired, as a general can do but little without an obedient army, and the latter is, in a manner, useless, without a head. Both had been wanting in Israel for some time, and even still, some of the tribes seem to be blamed for not co-operating with zeal, verse 15, and so forth This verse is repeated as a kind of chorus, verse 9. The zeal and concord of the little troop, which had met the formidable army of Sisara, deserved the highest applause. Bible.—Men bless God when they give him thanks; superiors bless by imparting some spiritual benefit. Worthington.