SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:16
¿Por qué te quedaste entre las majadas, para oír los balidos de los rebaños? De las divisiones de Rubén grandes son los pensamientos del corazón.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks ? etc.] This tribe abounded with flocks and herds, and therefore chose the country on the other side Jordan, as suitable for them; and now, at this critical juncture, they judged it wisest, and their best policy, to abide by them, and the care of them; lest by intermeddling, should Jabin prevail, he might be provoked to fall upon them, and take them from them; wherefore the bleatings of their flocks, and the whistlings of the shepherds that kept them, sounded louder in their ears, and more engrossed their attention, than the groans and cries of Israel under oppression; or than the soundings of the trumpet, the alarm of war, or the loud calls of Deborah and Barak; being under the influence of a carnal worldly spirit, and wanting affection and sympathy towards their brethren, about which Deborah here expostulates with them: for the divisions of Reuben [there were] great searchings of heart; this is repeated to show how much the prophetess, the general of the army, the princes and people, were affected with this conduct of the tribe of Reuben; it gave them much pain and uneasiness, occasioned many inquiries, caused much discourse and conversation, and put them upon thinking, and greatly exercised their minds, what should be the meaning of their behaving after this manner. Cocceius takes these words to be spoken ironically, and renders them, “at the rivers of Reuben were great men in searchings of heart;” there were wisdom, prudence, counsel, searching, and discerning of spirits, preferring their flocks to the people of God.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-23 - Deborah called on her own soul to be in earnest. He that will set the hearts of other men on fire with the love of Christ, must himself bur with love. Praising God is a work we should awake to, and awak ourselves unto. She notices who fought against Israel, who fought for them, and who kept away. Who fought against them. They were obstinat enemies to God's people, therefore the more dangerous. Who fought for them. The several tribes that helped are here spoken of with honour for though God is above all to be glorified, those who are employe must have their due praise, to encourage others. But the whole creatio is at war with those to whom God is an enemy. The river of Kisho fought against their enemies. At most times it was shallow, yet now probably by the great rain that fell, it was so swelled, and the strea so deep and strong, that those who attempted to pass, were drowned Deborah's own soul fought against them. When the soul is employed in holy exercises, and heart-work is made of them, through the grace of God, the strength of our spiritual enemies will be trodden down, an will fall before us. She observes who kept away, and did not side with Israel, as might have been expected. Thus many are kept from doin their duty by the fear of trouble, the love of ease, and undu affection to their worldly business and advantage. Narrow, selfis spirits care not what becomes of God's church, so that they can but get, keep, and save money. All seek their own, Php 2:21. A little wil serve those for a pretence to stay at home, who have no mind to engag in needful services, because there is difficulty and danger in them But we cannot keep away from the contest between the Lord and his enemies; and if we do not actively endeavour to promote his cause in this wicked world, we shall fall under the curse against the workers of iniquity. Though He needs no human help, yet he is pleased to accep the services of those who improve their talents to advance his cause He requires every man to do so.
Original Hebrew
למה 4100 ישׁבת 3427 בין 996 המשׁפתים 4942 לשׁמע 8085 שׁרקות 8292 עדרים 5739 לפלגות 6391 ראובן 7205 גדולים 1419 חקרי 2714 לב׃ 3820
