CHAP. I.
В. С. 743
as wax before the fire, and as the The time when Micah prophesied, 1. Judgments denounced waters that are poured down a steep 8 Therefore I will wail and howl, I down from the LORD unto the gate of Jewill go stripped and naked: I will make a rusalem. wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the * owls.
against Samaria and Jerusalem for their A lamen
tation over the terror and distress occasioned by the Assyrian
invasion, 8-16.
THE
THE word of the Lord that came to * Micah the Morasthite, in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Sama
ria and Jerusalem.
2 Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is; and let the Lord God be witness against you, & the Lord from his holy temple.
3 For, behold, the LORD Cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.
4. And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, b 2 Chr. 27:-32: Is. 1:1. Hos. g Ps. 11:4. 28:2. Jon. 2:7. Hab.
a 14,15. Jer. 26:18.
1:1.
c Am. 1:1. Hab. 1:1.
d 5. Hos. 4:15. 5:5-14. 6:10, 11. 8:14. 12:1,2. Am. 2:4-8. 3:1,2. 6:1.
* Heb. ye people all of them. e 6:1,2. Deut. 32:1. Ps. 49:1, 2. 50:1. Is. 1:2. Jer. 22:29. Mark 7:14-16. Rev. 2:7,11, 17,29. 3:6,13,22.
Heb. the fulness thereof. Ps. 24:1. 50:12.
f Ps. 50:7. Jer. 29:23, Mal. 2:
2:20.
h Is. 26:21. 64:1,2. Ez. 3:12. Hos. 5:14,15.
i Job 40:12. Is. 2:10-19. 25:10. 63:3,4. Am. 4:13.
k. Deut. 32:13. 33:29. Hab. 3: 19.
1 Judg. 5:4,5. Ps. 97:5. Is. 64: 1-3. Am. 9:5. Nah. 1:5,6, Hab. 3:6,10. 2 Pet. 3:10-12. Rev. 20:11.
m Zech. 14:4.
NOTES.
CHAP. I. V. 1. Marg . Ref . Notes, Is. 1:1. Hos. 1:1.
V. 2-4. 'Let the Lord bear testimony 'against you, and forewarn you of your danger, 'by me his prophet.' Bp. Newcombe. I call 'him to witness, that I have forewarned you 'of the judgments that hang over your heads, 'unless you speedily repent: and he himself 'will become a witness against you, and con'vince you of your sins, in such a manner, that 'you shall not be able to deny the charge. Lowth.
The two nations, (or peoples,) namely Judah and Israel, yea, the whole land of Canaan and all its fulness, were summoned to appear before God, who, from his holy temple in heaven, (of which the temple on mount Zion was but a shadow,) would be both Witness to detect their guilt, and Judge to denounce sentence against them. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . e, f.- Notes , 6:1,2. Deut . 32:1. Ps . 50:4-6,7-15, v. 7. Hab. 2:20. Mal. 3:5,6.) He was about to leave his place, (his mercy-seat, or his glorious throne above,) to come down and enter into judgment with them. ( Marg . Ref . g, h. -Notes , VOL. IV.
100
n Ps. 63:2.
Heb. a descent.
o 2 Kings 17:7-23. 2 Chr. 36: 14-16. Is. 50:1,2. 59:1-15. Jer. 2:17,19, 4:18. 5:25. 6:19. 1 Thes. 2:15,16.
p 1 Kings 13:32. Hos. 7:1. 8: 5,6. Am. 6:1. 8:14.
q 2 Kings 16:3,4,10-12. 2 Chr. 28:2-4,23-25.
r 3:12. 2 Kings 19:25. Is. 25:2,
12. Jer. 9:11. 51:37. Hos. 13: 16.
s Jer. 51:25. Lam. 4:1. Ez. 13:14. Hab. 3:13. Matt. 24:2. t Lev. 26:30. 2 Kings 23:14,15. 2 Chr. 31:1. 34:6,7. Is. 27:9. Hos. 8:6. 10:5,6.
u Jer. 44:17,18. Hos. 2:5,12.
x Deut. 23:18. Joel 3:3, Rev. 18:3,9,12,13.
Is . 26:20,21. Hos. 5:15.) Then would he tread upon the high places of the earth, or reduce the power and pride of the mightiest princes: the very mountains would melt like wax under him; and the valleys would be rent with chasms, such as are made by impetuous torrents when poured down from a steep place: that is, all ranks of men would be reduced to the utmost confusion and misery. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref.i -n.- Notes , Judg . 5:4,5. Ps . 68:7, 8.97:3-7. Is . 2:10-18. 64:1-3. Nah . 1:2-6. Hab . 3:6-10. 2 Pet . 3:10-13. Rev. 20: 11-15 .) V. 5-7.
Samaria was the great source of wickedness to Israel, and Jerusalem to Judah; from whence idolatry and iniquity, sanctioned by authority and example, were diffused through the land. ( Marg . Ref . o-q.- Notes , 1 Kings 13:23-32, v . 32. 2 Kings 16:3,4,10-16. Hos. 7:1-3. 8:5,6. Am. 6:1. 8:11-14, ν. 14.) Therefore Samaria would first be visited, as a warning to Jerusalem: and it would be reduced to a heap of rubbish and stones, such as were scen collected in vineyards, when the ground was prepared for planting the vines. For the stones of their sumptuous edifices 1793
9 For + her wound is incurable; for is come unto Judah; d he is come unto the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem.
10 Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust.
115 Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of ** Beth-ezel; he shall receive of you his standing.
13 O thou inhabitant of Lachish, " bind the chariot to the swift beast: she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion; for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee.
14 Therefore shalt thou give presents # to Moresheth-gath: the houses of 99 Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.
15 Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: ## he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel.
16 Make theex bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy bald
12 For the inhabitant of Maroth wait-ness as the eagle; for they are gone into ed carefully for good: but evil came captivity from thee.
v Is. 16:9. 21:3. 22:4. Jer. 4:19. 9:1,10,19. 48:36-39.
z Is. 20:2-4.
a Job 30:29. Ps. 102:6.
Heb. daughters of the owl.
Ophrah.
f Job 2:8. Jer. 6:26. Lam. 3:29. g Is. 16:2. Jer. 48:6,9.
Or, thou that dwellest fairly . || Heb. inhabitress.
↑ Or, she is grievously sick of b 8. Is. 20:4. 47:2,3. Jer. 13: her wounds.
22. Ez. 16:37.
Nah. 3:5.
would be poured down into the adjacent valley, and the city razed even to the foundations: their graven images would be seized or destroyed by the conquerors, with all their consecrated treasures; and that idolatrous worship would be finally abolished. ( Marg . Ref . r-u. -Notes, 3:8-12. 2 Kings 19:25. Is . 10:8-11. Hos . 8:5,6. 12:10,11.) These riches had been collected, as infamously as a harlot obtains her hire; and they should be wasted and spoiled in a manner equally disgraceful. disgraceful. ( Marg . Ref . x.- Notes , Deut . 23:17,18. Jer . 44:15-18. Hos . 2:2-5, ν . 5,10-13.)
V. 8, 9. The prophet expressed his deep concern for the calamities which he predicted, by representing himself ready to appear as one frantic with grief; and not only weeping and howling for anguish of spirit, but stripping himself and going naked, as an emblem of the captivity and slavery of his people; ( Marg . Ref . y.-Note, Is . 20:2-4.) and making a most doleful noise, like that of dragons or owls. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . a.) For Samaria's wound would be incurable; and the Assyrians, having destroyed the kingdom of Israel, would invade Judah, and march even to the gates of Jerusalem. This they afterwards did under the con
m Josh. 15:39. 2 Kings 18:13, 14,17. 2 Chr. 11:9. 32:9. Is. 37 : 8 .
n Gen. 19:17. Is. 10:31. Jer. 4: 29.
o Ex. 32:21. 1 Kings 13:33,34, 14:16. 16:31. Rev. 2:14,20. 18: 1-5.
p 2 Kings 8:18. 16:3,4. Jer. 3: 8. Ez. 23:11.
q2 Kings 16:18. 18:14,15. 2 Chr. 16:1-3. Is. 30:6.
That is, & lie . Josh. 15:44. s Is. 7:17, &c. 10:5,6. Jer. 49:1. t Josh. 15:44.
|||| Or, the glory of Israel shall come to, &c. 1 Sam. 22:1. Is. 10:3.
u Josh. 15:35. 2 Chr. 11:7.
x Job 1:20. Is. 15:2. 22:12. Jer. 6:26. 7:29. 16:6. 48:37. An. 8:10.
y Deut. 28:56,57. Is. 3:16,&c. Lara. 4:5.
z Deut. 23:41. 2 Kings 17:6. Is. 39:6,7.
desolations of Israel by Shalmaneser, and the in- vasion of Judah by Sennacherib, kings of Assyr- ia. These successes of idolaters against JEHO- VAH'S worshippers, ought not to be declared at Gath, lest the Philistines should rejoice. (2 Sam . 1:20.) In their presence the Israelites ought not "to weep at all."-"The word "Aph- 'rah" signifies dust : and the prophet, it is like- 'ly, puts it here for Ophrah, in the tribe of Ben- 'jamin, that the name may better suit their 'condition.' Lowth .
In the distressed cities or towns of Israel and Judah, the inhabitants would be called to roll themselves in the dust. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . f.)-"Saphir" signifies fair , or beautiful ; (some think Samaria was in- tended:) but its inhabitants would be stripped of their comely ornaments, torn from their habitations, and led away as naked slaves. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . g, h.- Notes , Is . 3:16,17. 47:1-3.
Ez . 16:35-43, υν . 37,39.) "Zaanan" signifies a place of flocks; (Josh. 15:37, Zenan ;) Beth-ezel, a house that is near : the inhabitants of the former would not go forth to assist the latter under their distresses: but the enemy would soon fix his station among them; they would share the fate of their neighbors, and the invaders would obtain great advantage by
duct of Sennacherib. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . bencamping before the city. ( Marg .)-"Ma
-d.-2 Kings 18:9-13,17. Is . 1:5,6. 8:6-8. 10: 28-34.)-The word rendered dragons , frequently signifies sea - monsters , but here a landanimal seems to be intended. - 'The word may 'signify a kind of wild beast like a dog, be'tween a dog and a fox, or a wolf and a dog,... (our English travellers call them Jackals,) 'which, abiding in the fields and waste places, 'make in the night a lamentable howling noise. Bp . Newcombe.
Owls. (8) Or ostriches . 'During the lonesome 'part of the night, they often make a very dole'ful and hideous noise. I have often heard 'them, as if they were in the greatest agonies, 'an action beautifully alluded to by the proph'et Micah.' Quotation in Bp . Newcombe.
V. 10-16. The prophet seems here to have
roth" signifies bitterness , ( Josh . 15:59, Maarah ,) but some think that Ramoth was meant, which signifies exaltations . The inhabitants expected, and earnestly looked out for better tidings, or better times; but "evil came down from the LORD" upon them, and even proceeded to the gates of Jerusalem. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref.k , 1. -Note, Is . 45:7.) Lachish was a city of Judah, but it bordered on Israel; and having learned their idolatries, it communicated them to the inhabitants of other cities, and even to those of Jerusalem: therefore the city would certainly be taken and plundered by the Assyrians; and the inhabitants would be glad to flee away in chariots drawn by horses, dromedaries, or the fleetest animals: and they would give presents to Moresheth-gath, some town
had in prospect, both the ruin of Samaria and the || belonging to the Philistines, to shelter them
3 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Be
a Esth. 3:8,9. 5:14. 9:25. Ps. 7:14-16. 140:1-8. Prov. 6: 12-19. 12:2. Is. 32:7. 59:38. Jer. 18:18. Ez. 11:2. Nah. $1:11 Luke 20:19,20. 22:2-6. Acts 23:12. Rom. 1:30.
b Ps. 36:4. Prov. 4:16. c Hos. 7:6,7.
Matt. 27:1,2.
Mark 15:1. Acts 23:15.
d Gen. 31:29. Deut. 28:32. Prov. 3.27. Ec. 4:1. John 19:
11.
e Ex. 20:17. 1 Kings 21:2-19. Job 31:38,39. Is. 5:8. Jer. 22: 17. Am. 8:4-6. Hab. 2:5-9. 1 Tim. 6:10.
f 3:9. Ex. 22:21-24. 2 Kings 9:26. Neh. 5:1-5,11. Job 24: 2-12. Ez. 18:12,13. 22:12, 27,29. Am. 2:4-6. Mal. 3.5. Matt. 23:14.
Or, defraud. 1 Sam. 12:3,4,
hold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye1 1 go haughtily; m for this time is evil.
4 In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and lament with ta doleful lamentation, and say, PWe be utterly spoiled: 9 he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed it from me! turning away he hath divided our fields.
5 Therefore thou shalt have none, that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.
& Jer. 8:3. Am. 3:1,2.
h 1. Jer. 18:11. 34:17. 2:17. Jam. 2:13.
i Am. 2:14-16. 9:1-4. 1:17,18.
Lam.
Zeph.
k Jer. 27:12. Lam. 1:14. 5:5.
Rom. 16:4.
1 Is. 2:11,12. 3:16. 5:19. 28:14 -18. Jer. 13:15-17. 36:23. 43:2. Dan. 4:37. 5:20-23. m Am. 5:13. Eph. 5:16. n Num. 23:7,18. 24:3,15. Job 27:1. 18. 14:4. Ez. 16:44. Hab. 2:6. Mark 12:12.
o 2 Sam. 1:17. 2 Chr. 35:25.
Jer. 9:10,17--21. 14:17,18, Joel 1:8,13. Am. 5:1,17.
† Heb. a lamentation of lam- entations. Lam. 1:-5: Ez. 2:10.
p Deut. 28:29. Is. 6:11. 24:3. Jer. 9:19. 25:9-11. Zeph. 1:2. q 10. 1:15. 2 Kings 17:23,24. 2 Chr. 36:20,21. Is. 63:17,18.
Or, instead of restoring, he,
&c.
r Deut. 32:8,9. Josh. 18:4-6,10 11.
s Deut. 23:2,3,8. Neh. 7:61-65
ed by vice, will be spent or lost with disgrace and misery. But we should lament the distresses, which we foresee are coming upon the ungodly: and tears seem far more congenial to our condition in this world than laughter. No
from the invaders. (Marg. Ref . m-p.- Notes , 2 Kings 18:13-17.19:8.) - “Achzib" signifies a lie ; and thus that city would deceive the expectation of the kings of Israel. ( Marg . and Ref . ) The Lord would also bring the Assyrians, or their colonies, to be the heirs of "Ma-hand can cure the wounds that almighty God
reshah," which signifies an heir , or an inheritance: and they would also seize upon Adullam, and mar all the glory of Israel. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref. s-u.--Note, 2 Chr . 28:6-8.) -'"The honorable men shall be forced to hide 'themselves from their enemies in the cave of 'Adullam, as David did when he fled from Sam . 22:1.) 22:1.)' Lowth .---The nation might therefore prepare (as a mother,) to shew every token of distress and mourning over her children, brought up delicately and greatly delighted in; casting off her off her ornaments, and cutting off her hair, as the eagle moults its feathers: for they would all in a short time be carried into captivity. ( Marg . Ref . x--z.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. They, who would escape the indignation of God, must hearken diligently to the reproofs and warnings, as well as the doctrines and encouragements, of the sacred oracles.--He will bear witness against all that work iniquity, well as denounce judgment upon them; and his holy temple will not protect bypocrites, but enhance their condemnation. When he "comes forth from his place" to execute judgment, the haughty and powerful of the earth tremble and fall before him: for how can sinners endure that presence, before which the elements shall melt, and the whole creation shall vanish away?--But our transgressions alone render his presence terrible to us: and if
inflicts, except his own. ( Note , Hos . 6:1-3.) We may hope, wait, and seek for good, but evil must come upon us, unless he be reconciled to us: all other refuges but Christ must be lies , to those who trust in them: other heirs will succeed to every inheritance, except that of heaven; and all glory will be turned into shame, if not connected with "the honor which cometh from God only." Sinners may now selfishly disregard the sufferings of their neighbors; yet their turn will soon come. But it is most grievous, when the sins and sorrows of the church are so notorious, as to rejoice the hearts, or embolden the blasphemies, of her avowed enemies.
NOTES.