Matthew Poole and continuators on Micah 2:4

4 ¶ In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation and say, we be utterly spoiled ; he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed it from me ? turning away he hath divided our fields.

When God shall retaliate, as verse 3. when he shall by the Assyrian Captivity fulfil what here is threatned by the Prophet.

There shall be taken up, or be in common ordinary use among those that know what is befallen you.

Or taunting, scorning Proverb, this tells them how their Ass[illegible: 2 letters]ian Conquerours should reflect reproach and shame upon captive Israel, much like that Psal. 137.3. which the Babylonians used toward captive Judah.

Your Friends for you, and you for your selves, shall mourn most bitterly, as the import of the Hebraism is, Lament with a Lamentation of Lamentations. So though all are not alike affected, yet every one shall carry it towards miserable Israel, according as they are affected▪ condoling their sad state, or insulting over them.

This is the sum of their mournful lamentation over their own state, our Land wasted, our Friends slain, our Cities taken▪ plunder'd and sackt, our houses and goods either taken away from us, or burnt, and our persons no more our own, but Captives, under the power and will of our enemy, thus spoiled, nothing is any longer ours.

The Assyrian say some▪ God say others; indeed God did it by the Assyrians.

The Estate, Wealth, Plenty, Freedom, Safety, Joy and Honour, into Poverty, Famine, Servitude, Danger, Grief and Dishonour. The Land of Canaan was the inheritance, and all the conveniencies it afforded were part of the portion of Israel, but O doleful change! These all taken away from Israel, and given to others.

It is either the Prophet, who calls them his people, or rather, every one of Israel that useth this lamentation, who saith my people.

How dreadfully hath God dealt with Israel? removing their persons into Captivity, and transferring thei[illegible: 1 letter] right and possession to enemies?

Either thus turning away from us in displeasure, God hath divided our fields among others, given them to the enemy, and he hath divided them to whom he pleaseth, to his own people and souldiers; Or else this word turning away, may be rendred returning, and be spoken of the enemy, when he returned he did divide our fields▪ or as the Margent of our Bibles, instead of restoring our fields, which we hoped, and our mistaken leaders promised, God hath given the enemy success and power to divide our fields, and to allot them to others.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] Lamen [illegible: 3 letters] [illegible: 1 span] 1.15.; [illegible: 1 word] 1.15.; Or, instead of restoring.