Micah 6:16

“For the statutes of Omri are kept, etc.] Who of a captain of the army was made king of Israel, and proved a wicked prince; he built Samaria, and set up idolatrous worship there, after the example of Jeroboam, in whose ways he walked, and, as it seems, established the same by laws and edicts; and which were everyone of them observed by the Israelites, in the times of the prophet, though at the distance of many years from the first making of them, which aggravated their sin; nor would it be any excuse of them that what they practised was enjoined by royal authority, since it was contrary to the command of God; for the breach of which, and their observance of the statutes of such a wicked…”

“statutes of Omri--the founder of Samaria and of Ahab's wicked house; and a supporter of Jeroboam's superstitions (Kg1 16:16-28). This verse is a recapitulation of what was more fully stated before, Judah's sin and consequent punishment. Judah, though at variance with Israel on all things else, imitated her impiety. works of . . . Ahab-- (Kg1 21:25-26). ye walk in their counsels--Though these superstitions were the fruit of their king's "counsels" as a master stroke of state policy, yet these pretexts were no excuse for setting at naught the counsels and will of God. that I should make thee a desolation--Thy conduct is framed so, as if it was thy set purpose "that I should make thee a…”

“For the statutes of Omri are kept - Rather, (like the English margin he doth much keep,) And he doth keep diligently for himself. Both ways express much diligence in evil . To “keep God’s commandments” was the familiar phrase, in which Israel was exhorted, by every motive of hope and fear, to obedience to God. “I know him,” God says of Abraham, “that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do judgment and justice” Genesis 18:19. This was the fundamental commandment immediately after the deliverance from Eyypt upon their first murmuring. “The Lord made there” (at Marah) “for them a statute and ordinance, and said, If thou wilt…”

“The statutes - The idolatrous worship was set up by Omri in the royal city. Ye - O house of Israel. That I should make thee - This will be the event. Thereof - Of the land. The reproach - The reproach threatened in the law, if my people forsake me. Next: Micah Chapter 7”

“6:16 evil King Omri . . . wicked King Ahab: These kings began perhaps the most rebellious dynasty to reign in northern Israel (885–841 BC; 1 Kgs 16:23—2 Kgs 10:17), and Elijah condemned them to annihilation (2 Kgs 10:17). No northern kings of Israel followed the laws of Moses (cp. Mic 1:5-6). Omri and his son Ahab were the epitome of evil kings (e.g., 1 Kgs 18:4; 21:1-26). Omri’s dynasty was destroyed in 841 BC (2 Kgs 9:14–10:17), and the people of Israel who followed their evil example would similarly be destroyed.”

“the statutes of Omri are kept: or, he doth much keep the, etc. Kg1 16:25-30; Hos 5:11 the works: Kg1 16:30-33, Kg1 18:4, Kg1 21:25, Kg1 21:26; Kg2 16:3, Kg2 21:3; Isa 9:16; Rev 2:20 ye walk: Psa 1:1; Jer 7:24 that: Kg1 9:8; Ch2 29:8, Ch2 29:9, Ch2 34:25; Jer 18:15, Jer 18:16, Jer 19:8, Jer 21:8, Jer 21:9; Eze 8:17, Eze 8:18 desolation: or, astonishment therefore: Psa 44:13; Isa 25:8; Jer 51:51; Lam 5:1; Eze 39:26; Dan 9:16 Next: Micah Chapter 7”

“This trouble the people bring upon themselves by their ungodly conduct. With this thought the divine threatening is rounded off and closed. Mic 6:16. "And they observe the statutes of Omri, and all the doings of the house of Ahab, and so ye walk in their counsels; that I may make thee a horror, and her inhabitants a hissing, and the reproach of my people shall ye bear." The verse is attached loosely to what precedes by Vav. The first half corresponds to Mic 6:10-12, the second to Mic 6:13-15, and each has three clauses. השׁתּמּר, as an intensive form of the piel, is the strongest expression for שׁמר, and is not to be taken as a passive, as Ewald and others suppose, but in a reflective sense:…”