17:1 And there a was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name [was]
Micah.
(a) Some think this history was in the time of Othniel, or
as Josephus writes, immediately after Joshua.
17:3 And when he had restored the eleven hundred [shekels] of
silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly
dedicated the silver unto the LORD from my hand for my son,
to make a b graven image and a molten image: now
therefore I will restore it unto thee.
(b) Contrary to the commandment of God and true religion
practised under Joshua, they forsook the Lord and fell
into idolatry.
17:5 And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an c
ephod, and d teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons,
who became his priest.
(c) He would serve both God and idols.
(d) By Teraphim some understand certain idols, having the
likeness of a man, but others understand by it all
manner of things and instruments belonging to those who
sought an answer at God's hands, as in
(Jdg 18:5,6).
17:6 In those days [there was] no e king in Israel, [but]
every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes.
(e) For where there is no Magistrate fearing God, there can
be no true religion or order.
17:7 And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah f of the
family of Judah, who [was] a Levite, and he sojourned
there.
(f) Which Bethlehem was in the tribe of Judah.
17:9 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said
unto him, g I [am] a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go
to sojourn where I may find [a place].
(g) For in those days the service of God was corrupt in all
estates and the Levites were not looked to.
17:11 And the Levite was h content to dwell with the man; and
the young man was unto him as one of his sons.
(h) Not considering that he forsook the true worship of
God to maintain his own belly.
17:13 Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me i
good, seeing I have a Levite to [my] priest.
(i) Thus the idolaters persuade themselves of God's
favour, when indeed he detests them.
