The prophetic selection for this Torah reading is from the Book of Judges. This reading has the distinction of being the greatest prophetic narrative in length. Deborah, the woman judge, asks Barak to assist her in battle. The tribes of Naftali and Zevulun are united under the leadership of Barak. However, Barak refuses to engage in battle unless Deborah assists him. Deborah notes that if she does accompany Barak that women will be credited with the victory. Deborah and Barak lead the two tribes in battle against the Canaanites. The general of the Canaanites, Sisera, escapes and finds refuge among the Kenites. Yael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, hosts the fleeing Sisera. However, she fools him into believing she is his protector. Sisera asks for water; Yael gives him milk. Sisera falls into a deep sleep. Yael grasps the peg of the tent and drives it through Sisera's skull. Israel is ultimately victorious over the Canaanites and their king, Yavin.

Chapter five retells the story of Deborah in song. The Song of Deborah is an appropriate selection to parallel the Song of the Sea. Like the Song of the Sea, the Song of Deborah, is an early Biblical Hebrew poem. The poem utilizes the classic convention of parallelism. The poem shares how the tribes gather under the leadership of Deborah. The poem is told through the eyes of three women - Deborah, Yael, and Sisera's mother. Sisera's mother is apprehensive that her son has not returned from battle. Her companions share the false answer that Sisera is dividing the spoils of war. The haftarah concludes that the land of Israel had peace for forty years.