withdrawing a gift. God mollified him with the promise of future
compensation. The Kishon was offered as security that he would
received half as many bodies again as he was now giving up.
When Sisera's troops sought relief from the scorching fire of the
heavenly bodies in the coolness of the waters of the Kishon, God
commanded the river to redeem its pledge. And so the heathen
were swept down into the Sea by the waves of the river Kishon,
whereat the fishes in the Sea exclaimed: "And the truth of the Lord
endureth forever." (83)

Sisera's lot was no better than the lot of the men. He fled from the
battle on horseback (84) after witnessing the annihilation of his
vast army. When Jael saw him approach, she went to meet him
arrayed in rich garments and jewels. She was unusually beautiful,
and her voice was the most seductive ever a woman possessed.
(85) These are the words she addressed to him: "Enter and refresh
thyself with food, and sleep until evening, and then I will send my
attendants with thee to accompany thee, for I know thou wilt not
forget me, and thy recompense will not fail." When Sisera, on
stepping into her tent, saw the bed strewn with roses which Jael
had prepared for him, he resolved to take her home to his mother
as his wife, as soon as his safety should be assured.

He asked her for milk to drink, saying: "My soul burns with the
flame which I saw in the stars contending for Israel." Jael went
forth to milk her goat, meantime supplicating God to grant her His
help: "I pray to Thee, O Lord, to strengthen Thy maid-servant
against the enemy. By this token shall I know that Thou wilt aid
me if, when I enter the house, Sisera will awaken and ask for
water to drink." Scarcely had Jael crossed the threshold when