Introduction

E shall have some account of this prophet in the first verse of the book of his prophecy and therefore
shall here only observe that, being contemporary with the prophet Isaiah (only that he began to
prophesy a little after him), there is a near resemblance between that prophet's prophecy and this and
there is a prediction of the advancement and establishment of the gospel-church, which both of them
have, almost in the same words, that out of the mouth of two such witnesses so great a word might be
established. Compare Isaiah 2:2,3; Micah 4:1,2. Isaiah's prophecy is said to be concerning Judah and
Jerusalem, but Micah's concerning Samaria and Jerusalem for, though this prophecy be dated only by
the reigns of the kings of Judah, yet it refers to the kingdom of Israel, the approaching ruin of which, in
the captivity of the ten tribes, he plainly foretels and sadly laments. What we find here in writing was
but an abstract of the sermons he preached during the reigns of three kings. The scope of the whole is, I.
To convince sinners of their sins, by setting them in order before them, charging both Israel and Judah
with idolatry, covetousness, oppression, contempt of the word of God, and their rulers especially, both
in church and state, with the abuse of their power and also by showing them the judgments of God
ready to break in upon them for their sins. II. To comfort God's people with promises of mercy and
deliverance, especially with an assurance of the coming of the Messiah and of the grace of the gospel
through him. It is remarkable concerning this prophecy, and confirms its authority, that we find two
quotations out of it made publicly upon very solemn occasions, and both referring to very great events.
1. One is a prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem (Micah 3:12), which we find quoted in the Old
Testament, by the elders of the land (Jeremiah 26:17,18), in justification of Jeremiah, when he foretold
the judgments of God coming upon Jerusalem, and to stay the proceedings of the court against him.
"Micah (say they) foretold that Zion should be ploughed as a field, and Hezekiah did not put him to
death why then should we punish Jeremiah for saying the same?" 2. Another is a prediction of the birth
of Christ (Micah 5:2) which we find quoted in the New Testament, by the chief priests and scribes of the
people, in answer to Herod's enquiry, where Christ should be born (Matthew 2:5,6) for still we find that
to him bear all the prophets witness.
Author and Date
Micah prophesied during the reigns of the Judean kings Jotham (750–735 B.C. ),
Ahaz (735–715), and Hezekiah (715–687). This was about the same time as
Hosea and Isaiah, though Micah may have served somewhat later. The length
of Micah’s public activity may have been about 20 to 25 years.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Micah writes to bring God’s “lawsuit” against his people (3:8). He indicts
Samaria and Jerusalem for their sins (1:2–7). Both Assyria (5:5–6) and Babylon
(4:10) stand ready to carry out God’s judgment. The reigns of Jotham, Ahaz,
and Hezekiah, along with the increasing threat of Assyria, provide the broad
background for Micah. Micah lists
specific sins of both the northern and southern kingdoms. These sins include
idolatry (1:7; 5:12–14); the seizure of property (2:2, 9); the failure of civil
leadership (3:1–3, 9–10; 7:3), religious leadership (3:11), and prophetic
leadership (3:5–7, 11); offering sacrifice without truly repenting (6:6–7); and
corrupt business practices and violence (6:10–12). Israel was in an apostate condition.
Micah predicted the fall of her capital, Samaria (1:5–7), and also foretold the inevitable desolation of
Judah (1:9–16).
Several significant historical events occurred during this period:

1. In 734–732 b.c. Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria led a military campaign against Aram (Syria),
Philistia and parts of Israel and Judah. Ashkelon and Gaza were defeated. Judah, Ammon,
Edom and Moab paid tribute to the Assyrian king, but Israel did not fare as well. According
to 2Ki 15:29 the northern kingdom lost most of its territory, including all of Gilead and much of
Galilee. Damascus fell in 732 and was annexed to the Assyrian empire.
2. In 722–721 Samaria fell, and the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by Assyria.
3. In 712 King Sargon II of Assyria captured Ashdod (see Isa 20:1 and note).
4. In 701 Judah joined a revolt against Assyria and was overrun by King Sennacherib and his
army, though Jerusalem was spared.

Historical seting
Chapter 1:1 identifies the prophet as "Micah of Moresheth" (a town in
southern Judah), and states that he lived during the reigns
of Yehotam, Ahaz and Hezekiah, roughly 750–700 BC.
This corresponds to the period when, after a long period of peace, Israel,
Judah, and the other nations of the region came under increasing
pressure from the aggressive and rapidly expanding Neo-Assyrian empire.
Between 734 and 727 Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria conducted almost
annual campaigns in Palestine, reducing the Kingdom of Israel,
the Kingdom of Judah and the Philistine cities to vassalage,
receiving tribute from Ammon, Moab and Edom, and absorbing
Damascus (the Kingdom of Aram) into the Empire On Tiglath-Pileser's
death Israel rebelled, resulting in an Assyrian counter-attack and
the destruction of the capital, Samaria, in 721 after a three-year siege.
Micah 1:2–7 draws on this event: Samaria, says the prophet, has been
destroyed by God because of its crimes of idolatry, oppression of the
poor, and misuse of power The Assyrian attacks on Israel (the northern
kingdom) led to an influx of refugees into Judah, which would have
increased social stresses, while at the same time the authorities in
Jerusalem had to invest huge amounts in tribute and defense.
When the Assyrians attacked Judah in 701 they did so via the Philistine
coast and the Shephelah, the border region which included Micah's village
of Moresheth, as well as Lachish, Judah's second largest city. This in turn
forms the background to verses 1:8–16, in which Micah warns the towns
of the coming disaster (Lachish is singled out for special mention,
accused of the corrupt practices of both Samaria and Jerusalem). In
verses 2:1–5 he denounces the appropriation of land and houses, which
might simply be the greed of the wealthy and powerful, or possibly the
result of the militarising of the area in preparation for the Assyrian attack.