Matthew Poole and continuators on Judges 5:6

6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael , the high ways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways .

Whilest Shamgar lived, who was, if not a Judg, yet an eminent person for Strength and Valour, Iudg. 3. 31.

Iael, though an Illustrious Woman, and of great Authority and Influence upon the People, did effect nothing for the Deliverance of Gods People, till God raised me up, &c.

Partly, because of the Canaanites, who besides the publick Burdens and Tributes which they laid upon them, waited for all opportunities of doing them mischief secretly; their Soldiers watching for Travellers in Common Roads, as is usual with such in times of War; and partly, because of the Robbers even of their own people, who having cast off the [illegible: 1+ letters]r and Worship of God, and there being no King or Rule[illegible: 1+ letters] in Israel to restrain or punish them, and being also many of them reduced to great want, through the Oppression of the Canaanites; it is not strange, if in those times of publick disorder and ataxy, divers of the Israelites themselves did break forth into acts of Injustice and Violence, even against their own Brethren, whom they could meet with in convenient places, which made Travellers seek [illegible: 1+ letters]or by-paths.

Marginal references: Chap. 4. 18.; Heb. walkers of paths.; Heb. crooked ways.