of Jabin:  there is nothing incompatible in this statement with the royal dignity elsewhere attributed to Sisera.  Harosheth-ha-Goyim has been identified with the present village of El-Haretiyeh, on the right bank of the Kishon.

It would appear that heavy rains had swelled the streams, and thus prevented the chariots from rendering their expected service in the engagement; at all events, the Amorites were routed, and Sisera escaped with the survivors towards Hazor.

[Illustration:  275.jpg TELL]

     Drawn by Boudier, from a photograph in Lortet.

The people of Meroz facilitated his retreat, but a Kenite named Jael, the wife of Heber, traitorously killed him with a blow from a hammer while he was in the act of drinking.*

* Meroz is the present Marus, between the Lake of Huleh and Safed.  I have followed the account given in the song (Judges v. 24-27).  According to the prose version (iv. 17-22), Jael slew Sisera while he was asleep with a tent-pin, which she drove into his temple. [The text of Judges v. 24-27 does not seem to warrant the view that he was slain “in the act of drinking,” nor does it seem to conflict with Judges iv. 11.- -Tr.]

This exploit was commemorated in a song, the composition of which is attributed to Deborah and Barak:  “For that the leaders took the lead in Israel, for that the people offered themselves willingly, bless ye the Lord.  Hear, O ye kings, give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord, the God of Israel."* The poet then dwells on the sufferings of the people, but tells how Deborah and Barak were raised up, and enumerates the tribes who took part in the conflict as well as those who turned a deaf ear to the appeal.  “Then came down a remnant of the nobles and the people....  Out of Ephraim came down they whose root is in Amalek:—­out of Machir came down governors,—­and out of Zebulon they that handle the marshal’s staff.—­And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah—­as was Issachar so was Barak,—­into the valley they rushed forth at his feet.**—­By the watercourses of Reuben—­there were great resolves of heart.—­Why satest thou among the sheepfolds,—­to hear the pipings for the flocks?—­At the watercourses of Reuben—­there were great searchings of heart—­Gilead abode beyond Jordan:—­and Dan, why did he remain in ships?—­Asher sat still at the haven of the sea—­and abode by his creeks.—­Zebulon was a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death,—­and Naphtali upon the high places of the field.—­The kings came and fought;—­then fought the kings of Canaan.—­In Taanach by the waters of Megiddo:—­they took no gain of money.—­They fought from heaven,—­the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.—­The river of Kishon swept them away,—­that ancient river, the river Kishon.—­O my soul, march on with strength.—­Then did the horsehoofs stamp—­by reason of the pransings, the pransings of their strong ones.”