1. Judges 5:16–17 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why was it so disturbing that Reuben and Gilead did not join the alliance?

Judges 5:16–17 (ESV)

16 Why did you sit still among the sheepfolds, to hear the whistling for the flocks? Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.

In the days of the initial conquest under Joshua, these tribes had supported the other tribes west of the Jordan in their invasion of the land (see Joshua 1:12–15; Joshua 4:12; Joshua 22:1–9). But here they abandon their brothers.