house of gods. The true house of God was neglected, and as hard to find as it is to-day (Judges 21:19 ); and, when found, dancing was the prominent feature, not sacrifice or worship (Judges 21:21-23 ).
ephod. In imitation of Aaron's. Exodus 25:7 ; Exodus 28:4 .
consecrated. See note on Exodus 28:41 .Leviticus 9:17 .
no king. First occurrence of four, See Judges 18:1 ; Judges 19:1 ; Judges 21:25 . Two conform to the structure here; and two in chs. Judges 19:1 , and Judges 21:25 .
Verse 1
mount = hill country of Ephraim, where Joshua dwelt and was buried (Joshua 24:30 ).
Verse 2
eleven hundred. See note on Judges 16:5 .
taken. Idolatry in Israel commenced with dishonesty.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
Verse 3
wholly dedicated. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). Hebrew "dedicating I had dedicated it".
Verse 4
money = silver (Judges 17:2 ).
Verse 5
house of gods. The true house of God was neglected, and as hard to find as it is to-day (Judges 21:19 ); and, when found, dancing was the prominent feature, not sacrifice or worship (Judges 21:21-23 ).
ephod. In imitation of Aaron's. Exodus 25:7 ; Exodus 28:4 .
consecrated. See note on Exodus 28:41 .Leviticus 9:17 .
his priest. Not Jehovah's, but "made with hands".
Verse 6
no king. First occurrence of four, See Judges 18:1 ; Judges 19:1 ; Judges 21:25 . Two conform to the structure here; and two in chs. Judges 19:1 , and Judges 21:25 .
Verse 7
a young man. See note on Judges 18:30 .
Beth-lehem-Judah. To distinguish it from Beth-le-hem in Zebulun (Joshua 19:15 ).
Verse 8
to sojourn. True worship neglected. Priests and Levites unemployed. Idolaters busy making idols and dancing.
Verse 12
his priest. Not Jehovah's; see on Judges 17:5 .
Verse 13
do me good. The "good" (as in all such cases) never came. For Micah is afterward robbed both of his idols and his priest.