The Israelite people did not obey
God, so God let the Canaanites (KAY
nuhn ights) rule over the Israelites for 20 years. The
Canaanites’ king treated the Israelites badly. The Israelite people
prayed to God for help.
A woman named Deborah was a judge in Israel. She sat under a
palm tree and helped people solve their problems.
God told Deborah that a man named Barak (BAY rak) should fight
against the king’s army. God would help the Israelites win. Deborah
sent for Barak and told him, “You are to take 10,000 men and defeat the
king’s army. God has commanded you to do this.”
Barak did not want to go unless Deborah went with him. She agreed
to go with Barak.
Deborah went up a mountain with Barak and an army of 10,000 men.
The king’s army came. Deborah told Barak to go, and Barak led his men
down the mountain. God helped the Israelites to win the battle.
