Micah 5:2-5

3. The King of Zion 5:2-5a

"In chapter 5 the prophet repeated and expanded the major themes of Micah 4:6-10, only in reverse order. This creates a chiastic structure for the central portion of the speech, which can be outlined as follows:

A The Lord strengthens a remnant (Micah 4:6-7 a)

B Dominion restored (Micah 4:7-8)

C Zion and her king are humiliated (Micah 4:9-10)

D Zion saved from the present crisis (Micah 4:11-13)

C’ Zion and her king are humiliated (Micah 5:1)

B’ Dominion restored (Micah 5:2-6)

A’ The Lord strengthens a remnant (Micah 5:7-9)" [Note: Robert B. Chisholm Jr., Handbook on the Prophets, p. 422.]

This section introduces another ruler of Israel who, in contrast to Zedekiah, his foil, would effectively lead God’s people.

"This royal oracle is obviously intended to be the central peak of the range of oracles in chs. 4 and 5. It presents a longer hope section than any other unit, and points to the fulfilment of royal promise as the key to the greatness of Jerusalem and Israel heralded in the surrounding pieces." [Note: Allen, pp. 340-41.]