In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.
And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.
When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?
And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest.
And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.
And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the Lord is your way wherein ye go.
Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man.
And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye?
And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.
When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth.
And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war.
And they went up, and pitched in Kirjath–jearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahaneh–dan unto this day: behold, it is behind Kirjath–jearim.
And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah.
Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.
And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and saluted him.
And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate.
And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war.
And these went into Micah’s house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye?
And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel?
And the priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people.
So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them.
And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that were in the houses near to Micah’s house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan.
And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?
And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee?
And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives of thy household.
And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house.
And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.
And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Beth–rehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein.
And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the first.
And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
And they set them up Micah’s graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
Judges 18 presents a disturbing snapshot of a nation spiraling into moral and spiritual chaos. This chapter, along with Judges 17, illustrates the depths of depravity reached during the period "when there was no king in Israel, but every man did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). It's a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting God's commands and pursuing selfish desires. The events of this chapter highlight the dangers of spiritual compromise and the insidious nature of idolatry.
The Danites' Quest for Land (Judges 18:1-2)
The chapter opens by highlighting the lack of central authority in Israel: "In those days there was no king in Israel" (Judges 18:1). This lack of leadership created a vacuum where each tribe and individual acted according to their own desires, often disregarding God's law.
The tribe of Dan found themselves in a predicament. They had been allotted land within Canaan (Joshua 19:40–46), but they struggled to fully possess it due to their failure to drive out the existing inhabitants, specifically the Amorites (Judges 1:34–36). Hemmed in and dissatisfied, they decided to seek new territory. This decision wasn't born out of faith in God's provision, but from a desire to circumvent their own shortcomings. Rather than trusting God to empower them to conquer their assigned land, they opted for an easier, albeit ungodly, solution. They sent five spies to scout out potential areas for conquest (Judges 18:2). This act demonstrates a lack of faith and a willingness to take matters into their own hands, setting the stage for the events that follow. This mirrors the failure of Israel at the borders of the Promised Land (Numbers 13-14), but in reverse. Instead of fearing the strength of the Canaanites, the Danites are actively seeking out a weaker target.
A Chance Encounter and a Compromised Priest (Judges 18:3-6)
The spies, on their journey north, happened to stop at the house of Micah in the hill country of Ephraim. They recognized the voice of the Levite priest whom Micah had hired (Judges 17). Intrigued, they inquired about his situation. The Levite explained his employment with Micah.
The spies then asked the priest to inquire of God about the success of their mission. The priest, eager to please, offered a generic blessing: "Go in peace. The LORD is watching over the journey you are going on" (Judges 18:6). This response, while sounding pious, was likely a mere formality, a paid-for assurance rather than a genuine prophetic utterance. The priest, already compromised by his involvement in Micah's idolatrous practices, was willing to offer empty words for personal gain. This highlights the danger of seeking guidance from those who lack genuine spiritual integrity. If you only ever receive good news from a preacher, they are not doing their full job.
The Lure of Laish (Judges 18:7-10)
The spies continued north and discovered the city of Laish. They found a people living in peace and security, unsuspecting and vulnerable to attack. The inhabitants of Laish were described as "living in security, after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and unsuspecting" (Judges 18:7). They were also far from any potential allies who could come to their aid.
The spies recognized Laish as an easy target and returned to their tribe with an enticing report. They urged their brethren to seize the opportunity, claiming that "God has handed it over to you" (Judges 18:10). However, this "divine sanction" was based solely on their own assessment of the situation, not on any genuine revelation from God. Their eagerness to conquer Laish reveals a dangerous blend of ambition and self-deception.
Theft and Temptation (Judges 18:11-20)
Six hundred armed Danites, along with their families and possessions, set out for Laish. As they passed by Micah's house, the five spies saw an opportunity to enrich themselves. They informed their fellow Danites about the religious objects in Micah's shrine: the ephod, the household gods (teraphim), and the carved image.
Seizing the moment, they stole the religious objects. When the Levite priest questioned their actions, they presented him with a tempting offer: "Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one man, or to be a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?" (Judges 18:19). The priest, motivated by ambition and greed, readily accepted the offer, abandoning his loyalty to Micah and embracing the prospect of greater status and influence. This is a stark example of how easily spiritual leaders can be swayed by worldly temptations. The Danites appealed to his pride and materialism by essentially offering a "promotion" from a small "house church" to a large "megachurch."
Micah's Futile Pursuit (Judges 18:21-26)
Micah, upon discovering the theft of his religious objects and the departure of his priest, was understandably distraught. He gathered some neighbors and pursued the Danites, confronting them with his loss: "You took the gods I had made and the priest, and went away. What do I have left?" (Judges 18:24).
However, the Danites, confident in their superior numbers and military strength, threatened Micah and his companions, warning them of dire consequences if they persisted. Intimidated and powerless, Micah was forced to retreat, his idols proving utterly useless in his time of need. This scene underscores the emptiness and futility of idolatry. Any god that can be stolen from you is no god at all.
Conquest and Idolatry Established (Judges 18:27-31)
The Danites arrived at Laish and, as expected, easily conquered the unsuspecting inhabitants. They slaughtered the people, burned the city, and rebuilt it, renaming it Dan after their ancestor, the son of Jacob (Judges 18:29).
Tragically, they then set up Micah's carved image and established a center of false worship. The Levite priest, now serving the entire tribe of Dan, continued to perpetuate idolatry, leading the people astray. The text notes that this idolatrous practice continued "until the day the land went into captivity" (Judges 18:30), highlighting the long-lasting and devastating consequences of their actions. The northernmost city in Israel would be named Dan, a fact often acknowledged in the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba (Israel's southernmost city)," which appears throughout the Old Testament.
Lessons for Today
Judges 18 serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of spiritual compromise and the seductive nature of idolatry. It exposes the consequences of prioritizing personal ambition over obedience to God and the devastating impact of leadership that lacks integrity.
The chapter teaches us that:
- Lack of godly leadership leads to chaos: When there is no central authority grounded in God's Word, people are prone to follow their own desires, leading to moral and spiritual decline.
- Compromise opens the door to further sin: The Danites' initial failure to conquer their allotted land led them down a path of disobedience, ultimately resulting in theft, violence, and idolatry.
- Idolatry is a devastating sin: It robs God of glory and cuts people off from his help. Idolatry isn't always about bowing down to physical statues; it can manifest as prioritizing anything—money, power, relationships—above God. If you look to anything other than God as your source of meaning, provision, deliverance, and fulfillment, you’re looking to an idol.
- Empty religious practices are meaningless: The Levite priest's empty blessings and willingness to serve idols demonstrate the futility of religious rituals devoid of genuine faith and devotion.
- True security comes from God alone: The people of Laish trusted in their own peace and security, but they were ultimately vulnerable because they lacked a relationship with God.
We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against idolatry and pursuing a life of genuine faith and obedience to God. We must seek leaders who are committed to God's Word and who prioritize His will above their own ambitions. Only then can we avoid the tragic fate of the tribe of Dan and experience true peace and security in God.
In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.
And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.
When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?
And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest.
And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.
And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the Lord is your way wherein ye go.
Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man.
And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye?
And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.
When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth.
And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war.
And they went up, and pitched in Kirjath–jearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahaneh–dan unto this day: behold, it is behind Kirjath–jearim.
And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah.
Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.
And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and saluted him.
And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate.
And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war.
And these went into Micah’s house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye?
And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel?
And the priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people.
So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them.
And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that were in the houses near to Micah’s house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan.
And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?
And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee?
And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives of thy household.
And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house.
And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.
And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Beth–rehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein.
And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the first.
And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
And they set them up Micah’s graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
Judges 18 presents a disturbing snapshot of a nation spiraling into moral and spiritual chaos. This chapter, along with Judges 17, illustrates the depths of depravity reached during the period "when there was no king in Israel, but every man did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). It's a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting God's commands and pursuing selfish desires. The events of this chapter highlight the dangers of spiritual compromise and the insidious nature of idolatry.
The Danites' Quest for Land (Judges 18:1-2)
The chapter opens by highlighting the lack of central authority in Israel: "In those days there was no king in Israel" (Judges 18:1). This lack of leadership created a vacuum where each tribe and individual acted according to their own desires, often disregarding God's law.
The tribe of Dan found themselves in a predicament. They had been allotted land within Canaan (Joshua 19:40–46), but they struggled to fully possess it due to their failure to drive out the existing inhabitants, specifically the Amorites (Judges 1:34–36). Hemmed in and dissatisfied, they decided to seek new territory. This decision wasn't born out of faith in God's provision, but from a desire to circumvent their own shortcomings. Rather than trusting God to empower them to conquer their assigned land, they opted for an easier, albeit ungodly, solution. They sent five spies to scout out potential areas for conquest (Judges 18:2). This act demonstrates a lack of faith and a willingness to take matters into their own hands, setting the stage for the events that follow. This mirrors the failure of Israel at the borders of the Promised Land (Numbers 13-14), but in reverse. Instead of fearing the strength of the Canaanites, the Danites are actively seeking out a weaker target.
A Chance Encounter and a Compromised Priest (Judges 18:3-6)
The spies, on their journey north, happened to stop at the house of Micah in the hill country of Ephraim. They recognized the voice of the Levite priest whom Micah had hired (Judges 17). Intrigued, they inquired about his situation. The Levite explained his employment with Micah.
The spies then asked the priest to inquire of God about the success of their mission. The priest, eager to please, offered a generic blessing: "Go in peace. The LORD is watching over the journey you are going on" (Judges 18:6). This response, while sounding pious, was likely a mere formality, a paid-for assurance rather than a genuine prophetic utterance. The priest, already compromised by his involvement in Micah's idolatrous practices, was willing to offer empty words for personal gain. This highlights the danger of seeking guidance from those who lack genuine spiritual integrity. If you only ever receive good news from a preacher, they are not doing their full job.
The Lure of Laish (Judges 18:7-10)
The spies continued north and discovered the city of Laish. They found a people living in peace and security, unsuspecting and vulnerable to attack. The inhabitants of Laish were described as "living in security, after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and unsuspecting" (Judges 18:7). They were also far from any potential allies who could come to their aid.
The spies recognized Laish as an easy target and returned to their tribe with an enticing report. They urged their brethren to seize the opportunity, claiming that "God has handed it over to you" (Judges 18:10). However, this "divine sanction" was based solely on their own assessment of the situation, not on any genuine revelation from God. Their eagerness to conquer Laish reveals a dangerous blend of ambition and self-deception.
Theft and Temptation (Judges 18:11-20)
Six hundred armed Danites, along with their families and possessions, set out for Laish. As they passed by Micah's house, the five spies saw an opportunity to enrich themselves. They informed their fellow Danites about the religious objects in Micah's shrine: the ephod, the household gods (teraphim), and the carved image.
Seizing the moment, they stole the religious objects. When the Levite priest questioned their actions, they presented him with a tempting offer: "Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one man, or to be a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?" (Judges 18:19). The priest, motivated by ambition and greed, readily accepted the offer, abandoning his loyalty to Micah and embracing the prospect of greater status and influence. This is a stark example of how easily spiritual leaders can be swayed by worldly temptations. The Danites appealed to his pride and materialism by essentially offering a "promotion" from a small "house church" to a large "megachurch."
Micah's Futile Pursuit (Judges 18:21-26)
Micah, upon discovering the theft of his religious objects and the departure of his priest, was understandably distraught. He gathered some neighbors and pursued the Danites, confronting them with his loss: "You took the gods I had made and the priest, and went away. What do I have left?" (Judges 18:24).
However, the Danites, confident in their superior numbers and military strength, threatened Micah and his companions, warning them of dire consequences if they persisted. Intimidated and powerless, Micah was forced to retreat, his idols proving utterly useless in his time of need. This scene underscores the emptiness and futility of idolatry. Any god that can be stolen from you is no god at all.
Conquest and Idolatry Established (Judges 18:27-31)
The Danites arrived at Laish and, as expected, easily conquered the unsuspecting inhabitants. They slaughtered the people, burned the city, and rebuilt it, renaming it Dan after their ancestor, the son of Jacob (Judges 18:29).
Tragically, they then set up Micah's carved image and established a center of false worship. The Levite priest, now serving the entire tribe of Dan, continued to perpetuate idolatry, leading the people astray. The text notes that this idolatrous practice continued "until the day the land went into captivity" (Judges 18:30), highlighting the long-lasting and devastating consequences of their actions. The northernmost city in Israel would be named Dan, a fact often acknowledged in the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba (Israel's southernmost city)," which appears throughout the Old Testament.
Lessons for Today
Judges 18 serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of spiritual compromise and the seductive nature of idolatry. It exposes the consequences of prioritizing personal ambition over obedience to God and the devastating impact of leadership that lacks integrity.
The chapter teaches us that:
- Lack of godly leadership leads to chaos: When there is no central authority grounded in God's Word, people are prone to follow their own desires, leading to moral and spiritual decline.
- Compromise opens the door to further sin: The Danites' initial failure to conquer their allotted land led them down a path of disobedience, ultimately resulting in theft, violence, and idolatry.
- Idolatry is a devastating sin: It robs God of glory and cuts people off from his help. Idolatry isn't always about bowing down to physical statues; it can manifest as prioritizing anything—money, power, relationships—above God. If you look to anything other than God as your source of meaning, provision, deliverance, and fulfillment, you’re looking to an idol.
- Empty religious practices are meaningless: The Levite priest's empty blessings and willingness to serve idols demonstrate the futility of religious rituals devoid of genuine faith and devotion.
- True security comes from God alone: The people of Laish trusted in their own peace and security, but they were ultimately vulnerable because they lacked a relationship with God.
We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against idolatry and pursuing a life of genuine faith and obedience to God. We must seek leaders who are committed to God's Word and who prioritize His will above their own ambitions. Only then can we avoid the tragic fate of the tribe of Dan and experience true peace and security in God.