Judges 5
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. Do you hear it? Someone is singing! It is Deborah. And next to her stands Barak. They sing very loud. They sing for God.
Why do they sing? Because something big happened. There was a war. A scary war. A bad man named Sisera came with many soldiers. And with big, strong horses. Clop, clop, clop. The people of Israel were afraid.
But God helped them. God is strong. Stronger than Sisera. Stronger than the horses. Deborah sings: even the mountains shook when God came! And the sky dropped rain. And the stars in heaven, they helped too!
There was also a river. The river Kishon. The water came, and came, and came. And the water washed the enemies away. Because God was there.
What Does This Mean?
Deborah sings and sings. She is so happy. She calls herself a mother in Israel. A mother takes care. A mother helps. Deborah helped her people, because God helped her.
And there is Jael. Jael is a brave woman. Sisera came to her tent. He was tired. He said: "Give me water." But Jael gave him milk. Warm, white milk in a beautiful bowl. Sisera drank. And then he fell asleep. And Jael, she made sure Sisera could never hurt anyone again.
Far away sits Sisera's mother. She looks out the window. She waits and waits. "Where is my boy? Why doesn't he come home?" But Sisera does not come. Not ever.
The Common Thread
Deborah sings for God. She sings: "God, You are strong! God, You are good!" She knows God did it. Not she herself. Not Barak. Not Jael. God.
That is what people still do. They sing for God. Because God is big. Because God helps. And one day another Helper came. His name is Jesus. He is even stronger. And He loves you very, very much.
For You
Do you sometimes feel small? Or scared? Then you can do what Deborah did. You can sing. A little song for God. Or say: "God, You are strong. Thank You."
God hears you. Always. When it is light, and when it is dark. When you are happy, and when you cry.
And you know what is nice? You may also be brave. Like Deborah. Like Jael. Not with a hammer. But with a kind word. Or a hug for someone who is sad.
At the end of the song Deborah says something beautiful. She says: people who love God shine. Just like the sun in the morning. Big and warm and bright. That may be you too.
Talk About It
What do you like to sing about? Would you like to sing a song for God together?
Deborah was not scared, because God was with her. When are you sometimes scared?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You are strong. Thank You that You help. When I am scared, please be near me. I want to sing for You. Like Deborah sang. Amen.
Questions about Judges 5
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Judges 5 about?
What does Judges 5 say?
What does Judges 5 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Judges 5?
Why is Judges 5 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Sisera commanded nine hundred chariots of iron and terrorized Israel for twenty years. Then the song slows down and simply repeats his collapse: "At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay." Said twice, as if Israel could hardly believe it. What has loomed over you for years can end in an afternoon. Is anything actually too strong for God?
Nine hundred iron chariots, and a swollen river undid them. What made Sisera strong is exactly what sank him in the mud.
Then notice what Deborah does after the victory. She turns and speaks to herself: "My soul, march on with strength." Even when God has fought for you, your soul still needs a word. What will you say to yours today?
Deborah's song names the tribes who stayed home. "Gilead lived beyond the Jordan. Why did Dan remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, and lived by his creeks." No accusation of evil, just absence. They were busy with boats, ports, cattle. The battle happened without them.
What am I quietly sitting out today, comfortable at my own harbor, while my brothers and sisters go up to the fight?
Then the horse hoofs stamped because of the prancings, the prancings of their strong ones."
Deborah's song lingers on a strange detail: the sound of hooves in retreat. Sisera's mighty cavalry, the terror of Israel, reduced to a panicked gallop. What once thundered in pride now thunders in flight.
The strength you fear in others is not as fixed as it looks. And the strength you trust in yourself can turn and run just as fast. Only the Lord stays.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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