George Leo Haydock, on Judg 5:8

“The Lord chose new wars, and he himself overthrew the gates of the enemies: a shield and spear was not seen among forty thousand of Israel.”

“Israel. What could be more astonishing and new, than this method of warfare, in which a few unarmed Israelites gain the victory over an immense army, and oblige the general, to leap from his chariot, that he may escape observation? A woman calls to battle. Hebrew is rather different, “They chose new gods:” some copies of the Septuagint have “vain gods, (Calmet) as barley bread.” Others agree with the Hebrew, “Then war was in the gates.” Jabin would not allow any arms in the country, and hence Samgar was forced to use the implements of husbandry. So the Philistines afterwards would not suffer the Hebrews to have a smith among them, lest they should make arms, 1 Kings xiii. 19, 22.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.