Judges 17

Judges 17:2

Cursedst] So Prov. XXIX. 24. That is, didst adjure, with an execration; if an answer were not made in truth and fidelity. Thus, 1 King. VIII. 31. Levit. V. 1. Num. V. 21. And so it is expounded, 1 Thes. V. 27. And so put to our Saviour, Matth. XXVI. 63. And so used, 1 Sam. XIV. 24. 2 Chron. XVIII. 15. Neh. XIII. 25.

Judges 17:3

The Lord] Micha’s mother dedicated this silver to the Lord Jehovah; to make both a graven, and a moulten Image, Ch. XVIII. 18. to worship Jehovah in and by them; and not any false god. For in this point of the Object or Thing worshipped, the Idolatries of the Jewes, and of the Heathens most what differed. See Exod. XXXII. 4, 5. 2 Chron. XXXIII. 17. Hos. II. 16. The other nine hundred Shekels, it is like, she bestowed on house, vestments, and other necessaries for that Idolatrous service.

An house of gods] So great was the Idolatry of the Jewes at this time. And their zeale great in their Idolatry, Ch. XVIII. 24.

Judges 17:5

Ephod] This Ephod, mentioned againe, Ch. XVIII. 14. As likewise that of Gideon, Ch. VIII. 27. were not like those Linnen Ephods, Exod. XXVIII. 40. 1 Sam. II. 18. and Ch. XXII. 18. But like Aarons rich and glorious Ephod, Exod. XXVIII. 6,—34. See the Annotations on Hos. III. 4. and the Observations on 1 Sam. XXIII. 9.

Teraphim] Or Theraphim, a word of the plural number; and still so used in Scripture; signifies Images, or Idols; Hos. III. 4. 1 Sam. XV. 23. But of what kinde or fashion, it is uncertaine; some conceive them to be made like men; because Michal put one of them in Davids bed, thereby to deceive her father Sauls messengers, 1 Sam. XIX. 13. Some take them to be houshold-gods; and as such in Labans house and family, Gen.

XXXI. 19, 34. Some to be such as they used to consult with as Oracles; as in the case of the Danites here, and Ch. XVIII. 14, 17, 18, 20. and of Nebuchadnezzar, Ezek. XXI. 21. and in Zecharies time, Zech. X. 2. Answers likely being given by the subtilty of the Devil, or forgery of their Priests.

And to workers with familiar spirits, and Wizards, They are joyned in Josiah’s Reformation, 2 King. XXIII. 24. See the Annotations on Hos. III. 4.

Consecrated] And ver. 12. The grosse abuse of Consecration. As in Jeroboams time, 1 King. XIII. 33.

Judges 17:6

No King] King here is taken, not properly for a King, but for a Judge; such as the thirteen Judges in this Book: for King properly there was none till Sauls reigne.

Judges 17:7

A Levite] A Levite borne or bred in Bethlehem. Judah, or sojourning there as a stranger.

Judges 17:9

Where I may finde a place] The necessitous state of the Levites, in those Idolatrous times, ver. 10, 11.