Judgment of Samaria
W. ALDIS WRIGHT, M. A.—The entire reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, extended from 756 B. C. to 697 B. C., covering a period of 59 years. Micah's ministry, however, might have embraced only a part of the reign of the first and last of these kings. He was contemporary with Hosea, Amos and Isaiah.— Smith's Dict., p. 1915.
PROF. J. LESLIE PORTER, M. A.—We halted at the western gate of Samaria, to take a last look at the place. The gate is a shapeless heap of ruins, forming the termination of the well-known Colonnade. I was never more deeply impressed with the minute accuracy of prophetic description, and the literal fulfillment of every detail, than when standing on that spot. Samaria occupied one of the finest sites in Palestine—a low, rounded hill, in the center of a rich valley, encircled by picturesque mountains. Temples and palaces once adorned it, famed throughout the East for the splendor of their architecture. But the destroyer has passed over it. I saw that long line of broken shafts with the vines growing luxuriantly round their bases; I saw a group of columns in a corn-field on the hilltop; I saw hewn and sculptured blocks of marble and limestone in the rude walls of the terraced vineyards; I saw great heaps of stones and rubbish among the olive groves in the bottom of the valley far below, but I saw no other trace of the city founded by Omri and adorned by Herod. One would think the prophet Micah had seen that desolate site as I saw it, his description is so graphic.—Giant Cities of Bashan, p. 231.
PROF. H. B. TRISTRAM, LL. D., F. R. S.—We mounted and rode to the top of the flat hill behind, where are the finest remains of the Roman Samaria, in a long street of columns like those in the amphitheater below, the numbers of which we did not attempt to count. There must be more than eighty standing, and the bases of many more still remain, forming the groundwork of a long double colonnade, about fifty feet in width, leading to a ruined triumphal arch, or city gate, at the western extremity.... The platform on which Samaria stood is in one remarkable particular somewhat like that of Jerusalem, in being enclosed on all sides by other hills, which more or less command it. How often from this spot must the besieged Israelites have gazed upon the hosts of the enemy investing their city on all sides!... When again we looked down at the gaunt columns rising out of the little terraced fields, and the vines clambering up the sides of the hill once covered by the palaces of proud Samaria, who could help recalling the prophecy of Micah: "I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard; and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof." Not more literally have the denunciations on Tyre or on Babylon been accomplished.
What though Sebaste rose, under Herod, to a pitch of greater splendor than even old Samaria, the effort was in vain, and the curse has been fully accomplished. In the whole range of prophetic history, I know of no fulfillment more startling to the eye witness in its accuracy than this.—Land of Israel, p. 137.
DR. SHAW.—During the lonesome part of the night ostriches often make a very doleful and hideous noise. I have often heard them groan as if they were in the greatest agonies: an action beautifully alluded to by Micah.—Travels, p. 455.
PROF. J. G. WOOD, M. A., F. L. S.—It is evident that in this passage reference is made, not to the eagle, whose head is thickly covered with feathers, but to nether, the vulture, whose head and neck are but scantily sprinkled with white down.—Bible Animals, p. 345
Judgment of Jerusalem
DR. JOHN KITTO.—It was an insulting act of ancient conquerors to pass a plow over a conquered and ruined city, to express that the site should be built upon no more, but be devoted to agriculture.— Note, In loco.
HORACE.—
From hence proud cities date their overthrow,
When, insolent in ruin, o'er their walls
The wrathful soldier draws the hostile plow,
That haughty mark of total overthrow.
—Carm., lib. i., Ode 16.
GIBBON.—After the final destruction of the temple by the arms of Titus and Hadrian, a plowshare was drawn over the consecrated ground as a sign of perpetual interdiction.—Decl. and Fall, chap. 23.
JOSEPHUS.—Now as soon as the Roman army had no more people to slay or to plunder, because there remained none to be the objects of their fury, Caesar gave orders that they should now demolish the entire city and temple.... It was so thoroughly laid even with the ground by those that dug it up to the foundation, that there was left nothing to make those that came thither believe it had ever been inhabited.—Jewish War, lib. vii., c. I, § I.
Coming Messiah
DR. HENRY J. VAN-LENNEP.—The fig-tree affords a thick shade, and is, on this account, a favorite resort of the family, where they may often be seen seated on mats, partaking of a meal, or entertaining friends. Underneath its grateful shade many a refreshing nap is taken in the heat of the day, for it is supposed to exert a healthy influence upon the sleeper. The expression, "to sit under one's own vine and fig-tree," denotes at once, security, domestic enjoyment, and competence.—Bible Lands, p. 537.
Vain Offerings
REV. J. ROBERTS.—Allusions are often made in the scriptures to the value of oil; and, to appreciate them aright, it should be recollected that oil only is used to light the houses, for anointing the body, and for many medicinal purposes. “Have you heard of the charity of Venase? Why, he has given a river of oil to the temple; and Muttoo has given a river of ghee."—Orient. Illust., p. 515.
DR. ADAM CLARKE.—Such offerings had been made by the Phoenicians, and their successors the Carthaginians; and this very custom was copied by the corrupt Israelites.—Note, In loco.
Deceit and Violence
OVID.—Hither comes the tradesman, having a girdle round his robes, and in a state of purity draws some of the water to carry it away in a perfumed urn.
He sprinkles his hairs, too, with the dripping bough, and in a voice accustomed to deceive, runs through his prayers, “Wash away the perjuries of past time," says he, " wash away my lying words of the past day; whether I have called thee to witness, O Mercury, or have invoked the great godhead of Jove, whom I did not intend to listen to me. Do but give me profits; give me the delight that rises from gain, and grant that I may find it lucrative to impose upon my customers." From on high Mercury laughs at his worshipper while making such requests as these.—Fast., lib. v., v. 675.
REV. THOMAS S. MILLINGTON. —The use of the net in war appears to have been common to many ancient nations. The Romans had their Ratiarii. A combatant of this class carried in his right hand a net with which he endeavored to entangle his enemy by throwing it over his head, and in his left hand a weapon with which to slay him.—Test. of Heath., p. 454
STRABO. —Upon Phryno's proposal to meet in single combat, Pittacus advanced with his fishing gear, enclosed his adversary in a net, pierced him with a three-pronged spear, and dispatched him with a short sword.—Strab., lib. xiii., c. I.
HERODOTUS.—The Sagarthii have no offensive weapons, except their daggers: their principal dependence in action is on cords made of twisted leather, which they use in this manner: when they engage an enemy, they throw out their cords, having a noose at the extremity; if they entangle in them either horse or man, they, without difficulty, put them to death.—Polymnia, c. 85.