But a more terrible invasion was in store for the nation, which again on the death of Ehud relapsed into idolatry (Judg. iv. 1). This time the oppressor came from the north, where under a second JABIN, the Canaanites, whom Joshua had defeated in his memorable victory at the waters of Merom, had recovered a portion of their former strength. With his vast hosts, and his 900 chariots of iron commanded by SISERA his captain, who resided at _Harosheth of the Gentiles_[183], he overran the country of the neighbouring tribes, Asher, Naphtali and Zebulun. Such was the general prostration and terror that, as had already been the case in the days of Shamgar, _the highways were unoccupied_, and the travellers stole from place to place by _crooked, tortuous by-paths_ (Judg. v. 6). Village life ceased in Israel, and the peasantry, abandoning the cultivation of the ground, retired for refuge to the walled towns. But even here they were not secure. There was _war in the gates_, the place usually devoted to the administration of justice, and even _in the places of drawing water the noise of the archers_ could be heard twanging their terrible bows (Judg. v. 8, 11). No resistance could be offered, for according to a common policy (1 Sam. xiii. 19–22) there had been a general disarmament of the people, and _not a spear or shield was to be seen among forty thousand in Israel_ (Judg. v. 8). The spirit of the nation was completely crushed, and the second Jabin and Sisera his captain carried on unchecked for upwards of 20 years those measures, whereby they reduced the Israelites to a condition of degrading servitude (Judg. iv. 3).