Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. (Isaiah 1:23)
Hosea (ch. 9:15) declares that “all their princes” were “revolters.” The chief men in Israel were stubborn and rebellious against the Lord, and the leaders in every form of crime (Isa. 3:12; 9:16; Micah 3:11).
Companions of thieves.
The leaders in Israel, whose duty it was to enforce the law, were actually in secret partnership with those who violated its precepts. Brigands who infested the highways were unmolested by the officials, with whom they shared their gains.
Every one loveth gifts.
Micah (ch. 7:3) declares that “the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward.” For every service the rulers in Israel expected a reward. Bribery was the order of the day.
They judge not.
Judges turned a deaf ear to orphans and widows, who were usually not in a position to offer rewards like those given by their oppressors. It was easy for a judge to postpone indefinitely the hearing of the cases of the poor (see Luke 18:2-5).