INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 17
This chapter relates the first rise of idolatry in Israel after the
death of Joshua, which began in Mount Ephraim, occasioned by a sum of
money stolen by a man from his mother, which being restored, part was
converted to an idolatrous use; two images were made of it, Judge... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE WAS A MAN OF MOUNT EPHRAIM,.... This and the four following
Chapter s contain an history of facts, which were done not after the
death of Samson, as some have thought, and as they may seem at first
sight, by the order in which they are laid; but long before his time,
and indeed before any... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID UNTO HIS MOTHER,.... Who seems to have been a widow, and
an ancient woman since Micah had sons, and one of them at age to
become a priest:
THE ELEVEN HUNDRED SHEKELS OF SILVER THAT WERE TAKEN FROM THEE: which
were taken away by stealth from her, though it may be rendered "taken
to thee... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD RESTORED THE ELEVEN HUNDRED SHEKELS OF SILVER TO HIS
MOTHER,.... The whole sum, having embezzled none of it:
HIS MOTHER SAID, I HAD WHOLLY DEDICATED THE SILVER UNTO THE LORD FROM
MY HAND, FOR MY SON TO MAKE A GRAVEN IMAGE AND A MOLTEN IMAGE; this
she had done either before it was st... [ Continue Reading ]
YET HE RESTORED THE MONEY UNTO HIS MOTHER,.... Gave it to her a second
tithe, not as disapproving her idolatrous intention, as the sequel
shows, but being desirous to be entirely free of it, and not have his
mind disturbed with it as it had been, and that she might do with it
as she thought fit:
AN... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MAN MICAH HAD AN HOUSE OF GODS,.... Having two images in it,
besides teraphim, which were a sort of idols; and the Targum is, an
house of images, or idols; though it may be rendered "an house of
God"; a temple, a place for religious worship:
AND MADE AN EPHOD; a priestly garment, a linen on... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THOSE DAYS THERE WAS NO KING IN ISRAEL,.... That is, no supreme
magistrate, judge, or ruler, Joshua being dead and Caleb also, and the
elders contemporary with them; for what the Samaritan Chronicle says l
is without foundation, that Joshua a little before his death cast a
lot in the presence of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN OUT OF BETHLEHEMJUDAH,.... As there were two
Bethlehems, one in the tribe of Zebulun, Joshua 19:15 and another in
the tribe of Judah, the place here designed, Judah is added to it, to
distinguish it from the other:
OF THE FAMILY OF JUDAH: which refers either to the young m... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MAN DEPARTED OUT OF THE CITY FROM BETHLEHEMJUDAH, to sojourn
where he could find a place,.... Either being a man that had a
rambling head, and of an unsettled mind, and could not easily fix any
where; or else there being no supreme magistrate, to take care that
the Levites had their due main... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MICAH SAID UNTO HIM, WHENCE COMEST THOU?.... For as he might ask
for a meal, or for a night's lodging, it was but natural to put such a
question to him, as from whence he came, and what was his business in
these parts? or whither he was going?
AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, I AM A LEVITE OF BETHLEHEMJUD... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MICAH SAID UNTO HIM, DWELL WITH ME,.... Hearing that he was a
Levite, he thought him a fit man for his purpose, and would give some
credit to, and put a better face upon his new form of worship, and
therefore, without further inquiry after him and his character,
invites him to make his abode wit... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LEVITE WAS CONTENT TO DWELL WITH THE MAN,.... To continue with
him; after he had made trial for some time, he liked his service, and
his wages, and way of living; it was all agreeable to him:
AND THE YOUNG MAN WAS UNTO HIM AS ONE OF HIS SONS; as dearly beloved
by him, and used as kindly and... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MICAH CONSECRATED THE LEVITE,.... Installed him into, and invested
him with the priestly office; in like manner he had consecrated his
son before, by filling his hand with sacrifices; see
Judges 17:5
AND THE YOUNG MAN BECAME HIS PRIEST; and did the work and office of
one; this was a very darin... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID MICAH,.... Within himself, pleased with what he had done,
and with what he engaged in:
NOW KNOW I THAT THE LORD WILL DO ME GOOD; that I shall enjoy his
favour, be a happy man, and prosper; and by this it appears, that
notwithstanding the idolatry he had fallen into, he had not utterly
for... [ Continue Reading ]