Judges 5:19

KJV

The kings came [and] fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.

KJV (with Strong's)

The kings {H4428} came {H935} and fought {H3898}, then fought {H3898} the kings {H4428} of Canaan {H3667} in Taanach {H8590} by the waters {H4325} of Megiddo {H4023}; they took {H3947} no gain {H1215} of money {H3701}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Kings came; they fought. Yes, the kings of Kena'an fought at Ta'anakh, by the waters of Megiddo; but they took no spoil of silver.

Berean Standard Bible

Kings came and fought; then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo, but they took no plunder of silver.

American Standard Version

The kings came and fought; Then fought the kings of Canaan, In Taanach by the waters of Megiddo: They took no gain of money.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 5:19, a powerful line from the ancient Song of Deborah and Barak, vividly recounts the decisive engagement of the Canaanite kings in battle against Israel. It highlights their concerted effort to suppress God's people and their ultimate, humiliating failure to achieve any material gain or plunder from the conflict, underscoring the completeness of their rout and the divine hand in Israel's victory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 5 is a triumphal song, a poetic recounting of the victory described in prose in [Judges 4](/judges/4 "Judges 4 - Deborah and Barak's Victory"). It is one of the oldest pieces of Hebrew poetry in the Old Testament, celebrating God's deliverance of Israel from Canaanite oppression under the leadership of Deborah and Barak. The song often moves between recounting events, praising God, and calling out those who participated or failed to participate. Verse 19 specifically details the climax of the battle from the perspective of the opposing forces, setting the stage for the dramatic description of Sisera's defeat and the subsequent lament of his mother. The poetic structure emphasizes the action and the stark outcome, contrasting the kings' expectation of plunder with their utter lack of it.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1200-1000 BC) was a turbulent era for Israel, characterized by cycles of disobedience, foreign oppression, and divine deliverance through charismatic leaders ("judges"). The oppression described here was under Jabin, king of Hazor, whose general Sisera commanded a formidable army, notably equipped with 900 chariots of iron, a significant military advantage of the time ([Judges 4:3](/judges/4-3 "Judges 4:3 - Sisera's Iron Chariots")). The battle took place in the Jezreel Valley, a strategically vital plain in northern Israel, often a theatre for ancient warfare due to its fertile land and crucial trade routes. Taanach and Megiddo were prominent fortified cities within this valley. "The waters of Megiddo" likely refer to the various streams and tributaries in the vicinity, particularly the Kishon River, which, as described in [Judges 5:21](/judges/5-21 "Judges 5:21 - The Kishon River Sweeps Away the Enemy"), became swollen and played a critical role in bogging down Sisera's chariots, turning the tide of battle. In ancient warfare, plunder (spoils, gain of money) was a primary motivation and a significant reward for victorious armies, signifying dominance and economic benefit. The absence of such gain for the Canaanite kings highlights their complete and humiliating defeat.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes prevalent in Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Intervention**, demonstrating that God actively fights for His people, often using natural elements (like the swollen river) to confound the most powerful human armies. Secondly, it highlights the **Confederated Opposition** Israel faced, as "the kings of Canaan" indicates a united front against God's chosen nation, emphasizing the scale of the threat and the magnitude of the deliverance. Thirdly, the mention of Taanach and Megiddo establishes a theme of **Strategic Battlegrounds**, places where decisive conflicts unfold, with Megiddo gaining a symbolic status that echoes even into eschatological prophecy ([Revelation 16:16](/revelation/16-16 "Revelation 16:16 - Armageddon")). Finally, the phrase "they took no gain of money" powerfully conveys the theme of **Utter Defeat and Humiliation** for the enemy, contrasting their worldly ambitions with the spiritual victory achieved by God's power, where the expected material rewards of conquest were utterly denied.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gain of money (Hebrew, _bêtza kesef'_):** The Hebrew phrase בֶּצַע כֶּסֶף (_bêtza kesef_) is crucial to understanding the verse's impact. _Bêtza_ (בֶּצַע) refers to "gain," "profit," or "plunder," often carrying a negative connotation of ill-gotten gain, avarice, or dishonest profit (e.g., [Proverbs 1:19](/proverbs/1-19 "Proverbs 1:19 - The End of Ill-Gotten Gain")). _Kesef_ (כֶּסֶף) means "silver" or "money." The combination starkly highlights the Canaanite kings' primary motivation—material enrichment through conquest—and their total failure to achieve it. This phrase emphasizes not merely their military defeat but also the complete thwarting of their covetous intentions, signifying a comprehensive and humiliating loss where their avarice went unfulfilled.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The kings came [and] fought, then fought the kings of Canaan":** This opening clause emphasizes the unified and aggressive stance of the enemy. The repetition of "fought" (or similar verbs of conflict in Hebrew) underscores the intensity and directness of the engagement. It highlights that this was not a skirmish but a full-scale, concerted military operation by a coalition of powerful rulers, indicating the grave threat Israel faced.
* **"in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo;":** This specifies the precise geographical location of the battle, grounding the poetic narrative in historical reality. Taanach and Megiddo were strategic strongholds in the Jezreel Valley, a vital corridor for military movements. The "waters of Megiddo" (likely referring to the Kishon River and its tributaries) are particularly significant, as the subsequent verses in the song explain how the swollen river became a weapon in God's hand, turning the tide against Sisera's chariots and contributing to the Canaanites' downfall.
* **"they took no gain of money.":** This concluding statement delivers the powerful punchline of the verse. In ancient warfare, the spoils of war were a primary objective and a measure of victory. The Canaanite kings, motivated by the prospect of plunder and subjugation, achieved absolutely nothing. This phrase signifies a total and humiliating defeat, not just militarily but also economically and psychologically. Their avarice was met with emptiness, underscoring the divine intervention that prevented them from profiting from their aggression against God's people.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 5:19 employs several potent literary devices to enhance its impact. The **Repetition** of "fought" (or similar verbs in the Hebrew) in the first clause ("The kings came [and] fought, then fought the kings of Canaan") emphasizes the intensity and scale of the conflict, drawing the listener into the dramatic scene. There is a strong sense of **Irony** in the final phrase, "they took no gain of money." The kings, driven by the desire for plunder and conquest, not only failed to achieve their objective but suffered a devastating defeat, highlighting the futility of their worldly ambitions against divine purpose. The very expectation of "gain of money" is subverted, creating a powerful contrast between their covetous intent and their utter failure. This ironic outcome serves as a testament to God's sovereignty and His ability to confound the plans of the wicked.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 5:19 powerfully illustrates the theological truth that God is sovereign over all battles and that His purposes will prevail, often confounding the schemes of those who oppose Him. The Canaanite kings, representing worldly power and driven by avarice, found their plans utterly thwarted by divine intervention. This verse reminds us that true victory is not measured in material spoils or earthly conquests, but in the fulfillment of God's righteous plan and the deliverance of His people. It underscores that even when formidable forces align against God's kingdom, His power can lead to unexpected and decisive victories, turning the enemy's strength into weakness and their expected gain into nothing.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God Frustrates the Plans of Nations")
* [Proverbs 1:19](/proverbs/1-19 "Proverbs 1:19 - The Way of the Greedy")
* [Isaiah 54:17](/isaiah/54-17 "Isaiah 54:17 - No Weapon Formed Against You Shall Prosper")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 5:19 offers profound encouragement and a vital lesson for believers today. In a world often driven by the pursuit of material gain, power, and worldly success, this verse serves as a stark reminder that such ambitions, when directed against God's purposes or pursued with unrighteous intent, are ultimately futile. Just as the Canaanite kings, with their chariots and confederated might, gained nothing but defeat, so too can our own battles, whether spiritual, relational, or societal, be won not by our strength or cunning, but by trusting in God's sovereign power. It challenges us to examine our own motivations: are we seeking "gain of money" or the glory of God? It assures us that even when confronted by overwhelming odds or powerful adversaries, divine intervention can turn the tide, leading to a victory that transcends earthly measurements and secures God's righteous plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to seek "gain of money" or worldly success at the expense of God's will?**
* **How does the complete defeat of the Canaanite kings, despite their power, encourage me when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges?**
* **What "waters of Megiddo" (unexpected divine interventions) have I witnessed in my own life or in the history of God's people?**
* **How does this verse deepen my understanding of God's sovereignty over human conflicts and ambitions?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Taanach and Megiddo in this verse?**

Answer: Taanach and Megiddo were ancient, strategically vital cities located in the Jezreel Valley, a fertile plain in northern Israel. This valley was a common battleground due to its importance as a crossroads for trade routes and military movements. Their mention grounds the poetic narrative in a specific, historically recognized location, emphasizing the real-world nature of the conflict. Megiddo, in particular, became so synonymous with decisive battles that its name (Har-Megiddo, "Mountain of Megiddo") is famously associated with the final eschatological battle of Armageddon in [Revelation 16:16](/revelation/16-16 "Revelation 16:16 - The Battle of Armageddon"). The "waters of Megiddo" refer to the local streams and rivers, most notably the Kishon River, which, as described in [Judges 5:21](/judges/5-21 "Judges 5:21 - The Kishon River's Role in Victory"), played a crucial role in the Canaanites' defeat by swelling and bogging down their chariots.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 5:19, with its depiction of the Canaanite kings' futile pursuit of "gain of money" and their ultimate, humiliating defeat, foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over all spiritual and earthly powers that oppose God's kingdom. Just as these kings sought material plunder but found none, so too do the forces of sin, death, and the devil seek to enslave humanity and gain dominion, but their efforts are utterly thwarted by the redemptive work of Jesus. The "waters of Megiddo" that swept away the Canaanite chariots can be seen as a type of the overwhelming divine power unleashed through Christ's death and resurrection, which definitively crushed the dominion of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). The true "gain" is not earthly wealth or power, but the spiritual riches and eternal life secured by Christ for His people, a treasure far surpassing any "gain of money" ([Philippians 3:7-8](/philippians/3-7 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Paul's Loss for Christ")). Ultimately, the defeat of the Canaanite kings points to the Lamb of God, who, through His sacrifice, disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them and triumphing over them by the cross ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His victory ensures that those who trust in Him will never be left without true gain, for their inheritance is eternal in Him ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope and an Incorruptible Inheritance")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 5:30

Have they not sped? have they [not] divided the prey; to every man a damsel [or] two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, [meet] for the necks of [them that take] the spoil?

Judges 1:27

Neither did Manasseh drive out [the inhabitants of] Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.

1 Kings 4:12

Baana the son of Ahilud; [to him pertained] Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which [is] by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, [even] unto [the place that is] beyond Jokneam:

Psalms 118:8

[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psalms 118:12

They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

Joshua 11:1

¶ And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard [those things], that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,

Joshua 11:15

¶ As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.