Charles Ellicott Commentary Judges 5:19

"The kings came and fought; Then fought the kings of Canaan. In Taanach by the waters of Megiddo: They took no gain of money." — Judges 5:19 (ASV)

The kings.— Compare to Joshua 11:1. Jabin did not stand alone.

In Taanach. —See Judges 1:27. The word means “sandy soil.”

By the waters of Megiddo. —The tributaries of the Kishon, or the swollen waves of the river itself. There is a plentiful spring at Lejjûn, the ancient Megiddo, which in rainy seasons rapidly turns the plain into a marsh (Thomson’s Land and Book, chapter 29).

They took no gain of money. —Literally, fragment of silver they did not take. They had doubtless hoped, if not for much actual spoil, at least for ransom from the numerous captives they expected to capture, or from the gain derived by selling them into slavery.