Judges 18

CHAPTER 18

Danites Settle in Laish (18:1–31)

1 The Danites had originally been allotted territory along the Mediterranean coast next to Judah, but because of the Amorites (Judges 1:34) and later the Philistines, they were unable to take possession of their land (Joshua 19:40–48). Their desire to find a place of their own (verse 1) revealed a lack of faith: God had already given them their place; they had simply been afraid to drive out their enemies and claim their inheritance.

2–6 The Danites sent five men to explore the land and look for a new place to settle. They headed north into the territory of Ephraim, where Micah lived. Somehow the five Danites heard the voice of Micah’s new “priest” and recognized it; so they stopped (verse 3). When they found out he was acting as a local priest, they asked him to inquire of God concerning the outcome of their mission (verse 5). The so called “priest” assured them that they had God’s approval (verse 6).

7–13 The five men continued northward until they came to the town of Laish.⁷² The people of Laish had no nearby enemies, so they hadn’t fortified their town. They were safe and unsuspecting; they were also prosperous (verse 7). Their nearest neighbors were the Sidonians living in present-day Lebanon; but they were too far away to help if Laish was attacked (verse 28). The five Danites returned to their people and urged them to go up and capture Laish. So six hundred armed Danites set out, together with their children, livestock and other possessions (verse 21), and they soon came to Micah’s house (verse 13).

14–21 The five Danites who had first visited Micah (verses2–3) said to the others, “Now you know what to do” (verse 14). Their meaning was this: the idols and the priest had given assurance of success (verse 6); therefore, it would be good to take them along! So the five men went in and stole all of Micah’s religious objects (verse 17). Then they enticed the priest to come with them. The priest gladly agreed, anticipating no doubt an increase in pay and prestige (verse 20). The treacherous behavior of the Danites calls to mind the “blessing” given to Dan by his father Jacob, in which he likened Dan to a serpent and a viper (Genesis 49:16–17).

22–26 When Micah realized he had been robbed, he gathered some men and went in pursuit of the Danites. The Danites at first pretended not to know why Micah was chasing them (verse 23). When he accused them, they threatened to kill him. Seeing that he was outnumbered, Micah returned home. His pathetic question, “What else do I have?” (verse 24) is the ultimate cry of every person who does not have faith in the one true God.

27–31 These verses describe the successful capture of Laish and the establishment of Micah’s “priest”—Jonathan—as the priest of the Danites. Jonathan’s sons continued as priests until the time of the captivity⁷³ (verse 30).

The mention of this “captivity” indicates that the same fate that befell Micah was soon to befall the Danites. Micah’s priest and idols were captured by the Danites; soon the Danites’ priests and idols would be captured by someone else. These false priests and false gods were unable to prevent their own capture! Such is the futility of all gods and religions created by the hands and minds of sinful human beings. And such was the state into which God’s chosen people had descended: their nation was beginning to crumble—all because they had abandoned their true God and King.