Judges 17

Judges 17:1

ANd there was] It is not certainly known and agreed upon, when the things related in this, and the following Chapters were done: But learned expositors upon evident grounds, do agree, That they hapned not after the death of Samson, but long before, and soon after the death of Joshua, and the elders that lived with him, when religion was most corrupted, and idolatry set up, Chap. 2. 11. And that these stories were annexed to the end of this book, that the history of the Judges might be continued without interruption: For Jonathan the Danites priest, was the son of Manasseh, Moses his grand-childe, who dyed long before Samsons times, Chap. 18. 30. And the following story of the Levites wife, and the warre with the Benjamites (which hapned after this here related, as appeareth, Chap. 19. 1.) sheweth, that these things were all done, when Phinehas the grand-son of Aaron was high priest, Chap. 20. 28. Which place he executed in the first times of the Judges.

Judges 17:2

The eleven hundred sheels] See Genesis 20:16.

thou cursedst] To wit, the theif that stole it from thee.

in mine ears] That is, in my hearing, where with being affrighted, I now come to acknowledge my fault, that I may be freed from the curse.

Blessed he thou] q. d. I do not onely free thee from the curse, but turn it now into a blessing.

Judges 17:3

unto the Lord] So they cloaked their grosse idolatry under shew of Gods service, though he had so often forbidden, and condemned it in his law.

from my hand] That is, to be bestowed by me upon my son, and his son for religious uses, vers. 5.

I will restore it] That is, seeing it was devoted for thy use, there is no need that thou shouldest bring it to me, but keep it still thy self.

Judges 17:4

Yet he restored] That is, though his mother pressed him to keep it, yet he would needs restore it, to be the more free from the curse.

made] To wit, of the silver that remained of the eleven hundred shekols, which were wholly consecrated, v. 3.

Judges 17:5

an ephod] That is, vestnients for a priest. See Chap. 8. 27. and Exodus 28:4.

teraphim] That is, images or honshold Gods. See Genesis 31:19. Hosea 3:4.

consecrated] Heb. filled the hand.

priest] Though not of Arons linage, which he did, and all the rest as a grosse idolater expresly contrary to Gods law.

Judges 17:6

In those dayes there was no king in Israel] Chap. 18. 1. and 21. 25.

no king] That is, no Judge or supreme magistrate to keep the people in aw and order. So (King) is taken, Genesis 36:31. Deuteronomy 33:5.

own eyes] Not that which was right in Gods eyes, but what himself fancied to be right.

Judges 17:7

family of Judah] That is, who was of the tribe of Levi, but born and brought up at Beth-lehem Judah.

Judges 17:8

to sojon] For in those times, religion being wholly corrupted, the Levites were neglected, and wanted maintenance.

as he journeyed] Heb. in making his way.

Judges 17:10

a father] Though he were yonger then Micah, yet for honours sake, he saith he should be a father unto him in respect of his calling.

a suit of apparell] Or, a double suit, &c. Heb. an order of garments.

went in] That is, agreeing to his conditions, he went into Micha’s house to dwell with him.

Judges 17:11

as one of his sons] That is, he loved and cherished him, as if he had been one of his own sons.

Judges 17:12

Micah consecrated] He had no right to consecrate him, nor the Levite to be a priest, as not being descended from Aaron, but from Moses, Chap. 18. 30.

Judges 17:13

Now know I] Thus he blesseth himself in his blinde devotion and superstition, though it wholly tended to grosse idolatry, and exposed him to Gods wrath and vengeance.