Devora, moved by her spirit of prophecy, instructed a Jewish leader, Barak, to assemble an army and wage war against Sisera. Barak, for his part, insisted that Devora accompany the army in battle. He hoped that Devora's righteousness and merits would help the Jewish people win the war. It was a difficult battle, but in the end the Jews emerged victorious. Sisera's forces, which had boasted 900 iron chariots, were defeated and scattered to the wind. The mighty General himself barely managed to escape with Barak in hot pursuit.
While he was fleeing, Sisera happened to pass by the tent of Hever the Kenite, who was descended from the family of Jethro. He entered the tent and demanded of Hever's wife, Yael, that she hide him. "Stand by the door," he told her, "and if anyone asks if you've seen me, say that I ran off in another direction."
The exhausted General stretched out on the ground, desperate for some rest. When he asked Yael for a drink of water she brought him milk instead, which quickly lulled him to sleep.
Yael looked at the sleeping form of Sisera and said to herself, "This murderer has caused countless women and children sorrow and bereavement. Is it right for him to recoup his strength, that he be able to continue his murderous activities? Indeed not; such a thing is absolutely unthinkable."
Yael picked up a tent peg and hammer and walked over to the sleeping General. Mustering all her strength, she drove the pointed spike through his temple. Sisera was dead, killed by a "mere" woman.
Again the Divine Presence rested on Devora, and she composed a song of thanks and praise to G-d. But she forgot that G-d does not abide arrogance or pride; Devora described the Jews' travails "until I, Devora, arose, a mother in Israel." As soon as she uttered these words the Divine Presence left her. Her voice became weaker and weaker until it seemed as if she had fallen asleep. "Awake, awake Devora and utter a song," the people urged her.
Devora understood that she had made a mistake. From that point on she didn't speak about herself, but lauded those who had taken part in the battle against Sisera. Special mention was given to the brave Yael, who killed the wicked enemy with her own hands.
Devora concluded her song: "So let all Your enemies perish, O L-rd, but let those who love Him be as the sun when it goes forth in its might."
