Judges 18:27

27 So they took what Mikhah had made and his cohen. They came to Layish, to a quiet and trusting people. They attacked, killed them and burned down the city.

Judges 18:27 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 18:27

And they took the things which Micah had made
The ephod, teraphim, and the two images, the Danites took them, or having taken them kept them, and went on with them:

and the priest which he had;
him also they took, and who was willing enough to go with them:

and came unto Laish, unto a people that were quiet and secure;
having no sentinels placed at any distance to give them warning of an enemy, nor any watchmen on their walls to discover one; and perhaps their gates not shut, nor any guard at any of their passes and avenues, having no apprehension at all of being visited by an enemy, especially from Israel, not being apprized that they had any pretensions to their city, and the land about it:

and they smote them with the edge of the sword;
entered their city, and fell on them suddenly, and cut them to pieces:

and burnt the city with fire;
to strike terror to all about; or it may be only they set fire to some part of it, as they entered, only to frighten the inhabitants, and throw them into the greater confusion, that they might become a more easy prey to them; for their intention was to inhabit it, and it seems to be the same city still, though they rebuilt it, and called it by another name.

Judges 18:27 In-Context

25 The men from Dan replied, "You had best say no more to us, because some of us might get angry and attack you. You could lose your life, and so might the others in your household."

26 Then the people from Dan went their way; and when Mikhah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.

27 So they took what Mikhah had made and his cohen. They came to Layish, to a quiet and trusting people. They attacked, killed them and burned down the city.

28 No one came to rescue them, because it was far from Tzidon, and they had no dealings with other peoples. This was in the valley near Beit-Rechov. Then the people of Dan rebuilt the city and settled there.

29 They named the city Dan, after Dan their ancestor, who was born to Isra'el; although the city had previously been called Layish.