Matthew Poole and continuators on Micah 1:14

14 Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moresheth- gath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel .

For so much as thou hast imitated Israel in sin, and been at least an occasion to Ierusalem, and the Kingdom of Iudah to commit the same sins.

Lachish.

Though I do not remember the sacred story reporting this in matter of fact, we read not what Presents were given, or by whom sent, or when: yet as 'twas foretold by the Prophet so no doubt it was fulfilled, and the inhabitants of Lachish courted the assistance of the Philistines against the Assyrian, and possibly against the Babylonian.

A known City or Town of the Philistins called here Moresheth-Gath to distinguish it from a Town of the same name in the Tribe of Iudah and in the valley of Zephatha, where Asa smote Z[illegible: 1 letter]rab the Ethiopian King who invaded Asa with a million of men.

This was also a City of the Philistines not far from Marcha, A[illegible: 1 letter]bl[illegible: 2 letters]n and Gaza, it was a Maritine Town and strong. There was another City of that name toward Tyrus also, but of this the Prophet doth [illegible: 1 letter]ot speak in this place.

A lying refuge or a prop that should break under them that leant upon it, as Egypt proved a broken Reed to Iudah, when trusted to, in the Heb. there is an elegant allusion, which the Translation cannot expresse.

Some say 'tis meant of the Kings of Iudah, but we find not that Hez[illegible: 1 letter]kiah made any use of the Houses of Ac[illegible: 1 letter]zib when Sennacherib invaded him. It is more probable the Kings of the Ten Tribes are meant, and that Hoshea did rely on Gath, Achzib, &c. and on the friendship of the rest of the Philistines to join with the Egyptians, or to give them a quiet passage through their Countrey to help Israel against the Assyrian.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]; [illegible: 1 paragraph]