17
the five men who had gone to spy out the land proceeded to enter and take the idol of cast metal, the ephod, and the teraphim. The priest was standing by the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men armed with weapons of war.
18
When the men went into Micah's house and took the idol of cast metal, the ephod, and the teraphim, the priest said to them, "What are you doing?"
19
They said to him, "Keep quiet! Put your hand over your mouth, and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one person, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?"
20
Then the priest accepted the offer. He took the ephod, the teraphim, and the idol, and went along with the people.
21
So they resumed their journey, putting the little ones, the livestock, and the goods in front of them.
22
When they were some distance from the home of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah's house were called out, and they overtook the Danites.
23
They shouted to the Danites, who turned around and said to Micah, "What is the matter that you come with such a company?"
24
He replied, "You take my gods that I made, and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? How then can you ask me, "What is the matter?' "
25
And the Danites said to him, "You had better not let your voice be heard among us or else hot-tempered fellows will attack you, and you will lose your life and the lives of your household."
26
Then the Danites went their way. When Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his home.
27
The Danites, having taken what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, put them to the sword, and burned down the city.