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, Jude 1–5 and there being no…

And there was a man of Mount Ephraim This and the four following chapters 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 of…

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”…

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 stolen,…

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: and his…

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 one…

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 [[10]] is without foundation, that Joshua a little before his death cast a lot in the presence of…

And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah As there were two Bethlehems, one in the tribe of Zebulun, 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 man, who was by his…

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…

And Micah said unto him, whence comest thou? &c.] 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…

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 with…

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…

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 and the young man became his priest; and did the work and office of one; this was a very daring piece of…

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 forsaken…