1
In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danitessought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.
2
And the children of Dansent of their familyfivemen 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 mountEphraim, 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 unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?
4
And he said unto them, Thus and thusdealethMicah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest.
5
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.
6
And the priestsaid unto them, Go in peace:before the LORD is your way wherein ye go.
7
Then the fivemendeparted, and came to Laish,[a] and saw the people that were therein, how they dweltcareless, 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 unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethrensaid unto them, What say ye?
9
And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is verygood: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.