1 And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah.

2 And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my son.

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 graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee.

4 Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took two hundred shekels of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah.

5 And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.

6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

7 And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.

8 And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn where he could find a place: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.

9 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.

10 And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.

11 And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons.

12 And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.

13 Then said Micah, Now know I that the Lord will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The beginning of idolatry in Israel, Micah and his mother.
What is related in this, and the rest of the chapters to the end of this book, was done soon after the death of Joshua: see (Judges 20:28). That it might appear how happy the nation was under the Judges, here is showed how unhappy they were when there was no Judge. The love of money made Micah so undutiful to his mother as to rob her, and made her so unkind to her son, as to curse him. Outward losses drive good people to their prayers, but bad people to their curses. This woman's silver was her god, before it was made into a graven or a molten image. Micah and his mother agreed to turn their money into a god, and set up idol worship in their family. See the cause of this corruption. Every man did that which was right in his own eyes, and then they soon did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
There was, &c. - The things mentioned here, and in the following chapters, did not happen in the order in which they are put; but much sooner, even presently after the death of the elders that over - lived Joshua, as appears, because Phinehas the son of Eleazar was priest at this time, (Judges 20:28) , who must have been about 350 years old, if this had been done after Samson's death.
McArther Bible Commentary
Chapters 17-21 give miscellaneous appendixes to illustrate the pervasively depraved conditions in the era of the judges.
Bible Cross References
Judges 16:31 Judges 17:2 Judges 18:2

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The beginning of idolatry in Israel, Micah and his mother.
What is related in this, and the rest of the chapters to the end of this book, was done soon after the death of Joshua: see (Judges 20:28). That it might appear how happy the nation was under the Judges, here is showed how unhappy they were when there was no Judge. The love of money made Micah so undutiful to his mother as to rob her, and made her so unkind to her son, as to curse him. Outward losses drive good people to their prayers, but bad people to their curses. This woman's silver was her god, before it was made into a graven or a molten image. Micah and his mother agreed to turn their money into a god, and set up idol worship in their family. See the cause of this corruption. Every man did that which was right in his own eyes, and then they soon did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Cursedst - That is, didst curse the person who had taken them away. I took it - The fear of thy curse makes me acknowledge mine offence, and beg thy pardon. Blessed - I willingly consent to, and beg from God the removal of the curse, and a blessing instead of it. Be thou free from my curse, because thou hast so honestly restored it.
Bible Cross References
Judges 17:1 Judges 17:3 1 Samuel 15:13

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The beginning of idolatry in Israel, Micah and his mother.
What is related in this, and the rest of the chapters to the end of this book, was done soon after the death of Joshua: see (Judges 20:28). That it might appear how happy the nation was under the Judges, here is showed how unhappy they were when there was no Judge. The love of money made Micah so undutiful to his mother as to rob her, and made her so unkind to her son, as to curse him. Outward losses drive good people to their prayers, but bad people to their curses. This woman's silver was her god, before it was made into a graven or a molten image. Micah and his mother agreed to turn their money into a god, and set up idol worship in their family. See the cause of this corruption. Every man did that which was right in his own eyes, and then they soon did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The Lord - In the Hebrew it is, Jehovah, the incommunicable name of God. Whereby it is apparent, that neither she, nor her son, intended to forsake the true God; as appears from his rejoicing when he had got a priest of the Lord's appointment, but only to worship God by an image; which also both the Israelites, (Exodus 32:1) , &c. and Jeroboam afterwards, designed to do. For my son - For the benefit of thyself and family; that you need not be continually going to Shiloh to worship, but may do it at home. To thee - To dispose of, as I say.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 20:4 Exodus 20:23 Exodus 34:17 Judges 17:2 Judges 17:4 Judges 18:30 Isaiah 30:22

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The beginning of idolatry in Israel, Micah and his mother.
What is related in this, and the rest of the chapters to the end of this book, was done soon after the death of Joshua: see (Judges 20:28). That it might appear how happy the nation was under the Judges, here is showed how unhappy they were when there was no Judge. The love of money made Micah so undutiful to his mother as to rob her, and made her so unkind to her son, as to curse him. Outward losses drive good people to their prayers, but bad people to their curses. This woman's silver was her god, before it was made into a graven or a molten image. Micah and his mother agreed to turn their money into a god, and set up idol worship in their family. See the cause of this corruption. Every man did that which was right in his own eyes, and then they soon did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Restored - Though his mother allowed him to keep it, yet he persisted in his resolution to restore it, that she might dispose of it as she pleased. Two hundred - Reserving nine hundred shekels, either for the ephod or teraphim, or for other things relating to this worship.
Bible Cross References
Judges 17:3 Judges 17:5 Isaiah 30:22 Isaiah 44:13

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The beginning of idolatry in Israel, Micah and his mother.
What is related in this, and the rest of the chapters to the end of this book, was done soon after the death of Joshua: see (Judges 20:28). That it might appear how happy the nation was under the Judges, here is showed how unhappy they were when there was no Judge. The love of money made Micah so undutiful to his mother as to rob her, and made her so unkind to her son, as to curse him. Outward losses drive good people to their prayers, but bad people to their curses. This woman's silver was her god, before it was made into a graven or a molten image. Micah and his mother agreed to turn their money into a god, and set up idol worship in their family. See the cause of this corruption. Every man did that which was right in his own eyes, and then they soon did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Of gods - That is, an house consecrated for the service of God in this manner. Teraphim - A sort of images so called. One of his sons - Because the Levites in that corrupt estate of the church, neglected the exercise of their office, and therefore they were neglected by the people, and others put into their employment.
McArther Bible Commentary
Micah had a shrine. A counterfeit shrine and personal idols with a private priest is set up within the tribe of Ephraim (Jdg 17:1), whereas God's priests were of the tribe of Levi (cf. Jdg 17:13). The defection is one example of personal and family idolatry.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 31:19 Numbers 3:10 Judges 8:27 Judges 17:4 Judges 18:14 Judges 18:24 Judges 18:30 1 Kings 13:33 Isaiah 44:13 Ezekiel 21:21 Hosea 3:4

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The beginning of idolatry in Israel, Micah and his mother.
What is related in this, and the rest of the chapters to the end of this book, was done soon after the death of Joshua: see (Judges 20:28). That it might appear how happy the nation was under the Judges, here is showed how unhappy they were when there was no Judge. The love of money made Micah so undutiful to his mother as to rob her, and made her so unkind to her son, as to curse him. Outward losses drive good people to their prayers, but bad people to their curses. This woman's silver was her god, before it was made into a graven or a molten image. Micah and his mother agreed to turn their money into a god, and set up idol worship in their family. See the cause of this corruption. Every man did that which was right in his own eyes, and then they soon did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
No king - No judge to govern and control them. The word king being used largely for a supreme magistrate. God raised up judges to rule and deliver the people, when he saw fit; and at other times for their sins he suffered them to be without them, and such a time this was; and therefore they ran into that idolatry, from which the judges usually kept them; as appears by that solemn and oft - repeated passage in this book, that after the death of such or such a judge, the people forsook the Lord, and turned to idols. His own eyes - That is, not what pleased God, but what best suited his own fancy.
McArther Bible Commentary
everyone did … own eyes. This is a general characterization of the time, and of sinful behavior in all times. This attitude had been mentioned much earlier in Israel's history (cf. Jdg 21:25; Deu 12:8).
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 12:8 Judges 18:1 Judges 19:1 Judges 21:25

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Micah hires a Levite to be his priest.
Micah thought it was a sign of God's favour to him and his images, that a Levite should come to his door. Thus those who please themselves with their own delusions, if Providence unexpectedly bring any thing to their hands that further them in their evil way, are apt from thence to think that God is pleased with them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Bethlehem - judah - So called here, as (Matthew 2:1) , (Matthew 2:5) , to difference it from Bethlehem in Zebulun. There he was born and bred. Of Judah - That is, of or belonging to the tribe of Judah; not by birth, for he was a Levite; but by his habitation and ministration. For the Levites were dispersed among all the tribes; and this man's lot fell into the tribe of Judah. Sojourned - So he expresseth it, because this was not the proper place of his abode, this being no Levitical city.
McArther Bible Commentary
a Levite. This Levite compromised in departing from one of the forty-eight cities God gave for Levite service to Israel (Josh. 21). Then he sinned grossly by prostituting himself as a priest in a private idolatry.
Bible Cross References
Matthew 2:1 Judges 19:1 Ruth 1:1 Ruth 1:2 Micah 5:2

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Micah hires a Levite to be his priest.
Micah thought it was a sign of God's favour to him and his images, that a Levite should come to his door. Thus those who please themselves with their own delusions, if Providence unexpectedly bring any thing to their hands that further them in their evil way, are apt from thence to think that God is pleased with them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To sojourn - For employment and a livelihood; for the tithes and offerings, which were their maintenance, not being brought into the house of God, the Levites and priests were reduced to straights.
Bible Cross References
Joshua 24:33 Judges 17:7 Judges 17:9 Ruth 1:1

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Micah hires a Levite to be his priest.
Micah thought it was a sign of God's favour to him and his images, that a Levite should come to his door. Thus those who please themselves with their own delusions, if Providence unexpectedly bring any thing to their hands that further them in their evil way, are apt from thence to think that God is pleased with them.
Bible Cross References
Judges 17:7 Judges 17:8 Judges 17:10

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Micah hires a Levite to be his priest.
Micah thought it was a sign of God's favour to him and his images, that a Levite should come to his door. Thus those who please themselves with their own delusions, if Providence unexpectedly bring any thing to their hands that further them in their evil way, are apt from thence to think that God is pleased with them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
A father - That is, a priest, a spiritual father, a teacher or instructor. He pretends reverence and submission to him; and what is wanting in his wages, he pays him in titles.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 45:8 Judges 17:9 Judges 17:11 Judges 18:19

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Micah hires a Levite to be his priest.
Micah thought it was a sign of God's favour to him and his images, that a Levite should come to his door. Thus those who please themselves with their own delusions, if Providence unexpectedly bring any thing to their hands that further them in their evil way, are apt from thence to think that God is pleased with them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Content - Being infected with the common superstition and idolatry of the times. His sons - That is, treated with the same degree of kindness and affection.
Bible Cross References
Judges 17:10 Judges 17:12

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Micah hires a Levite to be his priest.
Micah thought it was a sign of God's favour to him and his images, that a Levite should come to his door. Thus those who please themselves with their own delusions, if Providence unexpectedly bring any thing to their hands that further them in their evil way, are apt from thence to think that God is pleased with them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Consecrated - To be a priest, for which he thought a consecration necessary, as knowing the Levites were no less excluded from the priest's office than the people. The young man - Instead of his son, whom he had consecrated, but now seems to restrain him from the exercise of that office, and to devolve it wholly upon the Levite, who was nearer akin to it.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 16:10 Numbers 18:1 Judges 17:11 Judges 17:13 Judges 18:4

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Micah hires a Levite to be his priest.
Micah thought it was a sign of God's favour to him and his images, that a Levite should come to his door. Thus those who please themselves with their own delusions, if Providence unexpectedly bring any thing to their hands that further them in their evil way, are apt from thence to think that God is pleased with them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Do me good - I am assured God will bless me. So blind and grossly partial he was in his judgment, to think that one right circumstance would answer for all his substantial errors, in making and worshipping images against God's express command, in worshipping God in a forbidden place, by a priest illegally appointed.
Bible Cross References
Judges 17:12 Judges 18:1