MICAH CHAPTER 1 The time when Micah prophesied, MICAH 1:1 . Micah showeth the wrath of God against Israel and Judah for idolatry, MICAH 1:2 A lamentation for them, MICAH 1:10 . THE WORD OF THE LORD THAT CAME: thus Hosea begins his prophecy, HOSEA 1:1 , and JOEL 1:1 , and JON 1:, and ZEPHANIAH 1:1... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR: the prophet here by proclamation requires earnest attention to his word. So Moses, DEUTERONOMY 4:26, DEUTERONOMY 30:19 32:1; so the psalmist, PSALMS 50:1,4; and so Isaiah, ISAIAH 1:2, ISAIAH 34:1. ALL YE PEOPLE; either all the people of both kingdoms, all Israel and Judah, or else universally... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR, BEHOLD; there is great reason for my earnestness with all people, and therefore once more I advise you to consider it well. Behold, attend to what is said. THE LORD COMETH FORTH; who is Judge himself, PSALMS 50:1,4, whose holy majesty you have provoked to displeasure, who is a jealous God, and... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MOUNTAINS SHALL BE MOLTEN: if literally understood, we know it hath been so: when God will kindle that fire which shall burn up the earth, and the works of it, as he will when he cometh finally to judge the world, it shall be done again. But figuratively mountains are mighty states and kingdoms,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE TRANSGRESSION; the singular for the plural, the many transgressions committed amongst them; but especially that flood of iniquity which, springing up in Samaria, did overflow the whole kingdom, idolatry, pride, luxury, cruelty, and oppression. OF JACOB; the sons of Jacob: the ten tribes most... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE; for these sins of Samaria, and the kingdom of Israel. I WILL MAKE; not by an immediate hand from heaven, but by the Assyrians under the conduct of Shalmaneser, they shall do it as my servants, saith the Lord. SAMARIA AS A HEAP OF THE FIELD; much like ISAIAH 25:2; that beautiful city shall... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE GRAVEN IMAGES; erected in honour to the idols they worshipped, which usually were the images or similitudes resembling their idols, their gods of silver, gold, or stone and brass, or wood. SHALL BE BEATEN TO PIECES; pulled out of their chapels, shrines, or repositories by the conquering Assy... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, because of those dreadful slaughters and devastations made in Israel and Samaria, I WILL WAIL, solemnly, as when they who are skilful in lamentation do at funerals bewail in most affective manner to stir up the like sorrow in others: see AMOS 5:16. AND HOWL; the same in a word of like sen... [ Continue Reading ]
HER WOUND IS INCURABLE; the wounds of Samaria and the ten tribes; her own sins, God's just displeasure, and the enemy's rage have deeply wounded her, she is senseless, impenitent, and furious against her Physician, and she shall at last die by sword, famine, pestilence, and captivity. IT IS COME UNT... [ Continue Reading ]
DECLARE YE IT NOT AT GATH; do what you can to keep your griefs to yourselves, let them not be public, that the Philistines, your bitter enemies, should know how sad it is with you and rejoice at it. Gath was a principal city of the Philistines, and though this only is mentioned the rest are understo... [ Continue Reading ]
PASS YE AWAY: the imperative is here put for the future, and the prophet does here foretell and threaten what shall befall this people, they shall go before the enemy into captivity. _Saphir_ denotes either the beautiful and pleasant habitation, and so may be applied to any pleasant seat, such as we... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR; yet, or certainly, as the Hebrew particle is often to be rendered. THE INHABITANT; one put for all, because all should fare alike. MAROTH: some say it is by transposing the letters put for Ramoth; others say it is, as the word imports, the _grieving, _ imbittered cities; others take it for the... [ Continue Reading ]
LACHISH; a very strong fortress on the confines of Judah towards the kingdom of the ten tribes, and which, as it did to the last stand out against Sennacherib, so it is very probable they did boast of their strength and valour. BIND THE CHARIOT TO THE SWIFT BEAST; either to flee from the sword of th... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE; forasmuch as thou hast imitated Israel in sin, and been at least an occasion to Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah to commit the same sins. SHALT THOU, Lachish, GIVE PRESENTS: though I do not remember the sacred story reporting this in matter of fact, we read not what presents were given,... [ Continue Reading ]
OLBHeb; YET WILL I BRING; the Lord will cause the Assyrian to rise up and prosper in his wars, to the subduing and possessing of the cities of Israel and the Philistines. AN HEIR; the Assyrian, who in the right of conquest shall possess, and account himself heir of what he possesseth. MARESHAH; most... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE THEE BALD; O Judea and Israel, in token of sorrow for these wasting judgments, tear off thy hair with thine own hands. POLL THEE; shave off with the razor and by others hand what thou canst not tear off. FOR THY DELICATE CHILDREN; for the loss of them, some being slain, others starved or swept... [ Continue Reading ]