1
In those days [there was] no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought for themselves an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day [all their] inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel.
2
And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their borders, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to explore the land, and to search it; and they said to them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.
3
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 to him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this [place]? and what hast thou here?
4
And he said to them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest.
5
And they said to him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.
6
And the priest said to them, Go in peace: before the LORD [is] your way in which ye go.
7
Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that [were] in it, 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.
8
And they came to their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said to them, What [say] ye?