“If you will go with me.” Barak’s statement is not an act of cowardice, although it does show that he did not have confidence that he would not need further information once the battle was near. Deborah was a prophetess and it was customary for the king to have prophets, seers, diviners, etc., with him at the sight of battle to keep him informed. And Deborah did go with Barak to the battle (Judg. 4:9), and she told Barak when to start the attack (Judg. 4:14).