Deborah: Commander and chief

Deborah or "Bee" was a prophetess and the fourth, and the only female, Judge of pre-monarchic Israel in the Old Testament. Her story was told twice and is significant because it is one of the oldest passages that portray fighting women. Most of the great women in the Bible either are married to a great man or related to one. Deborah stands exclusively on her own merits.

Deborah prophesied and led her nation to military success after being suppressed by the King of Canaan for over twenty years. She did this from her seated place under a date palm, which was a symbol for Deborah's generation.