17
The five men who had gone to spy throughout the land went inside. They took the carved idol, the ephod, the household idols, and the metal idol. The priest stood at the entrance to the city with the 600 armed men.
18
When these men entered Micah's house and took the carved idol, the ephod, the household idols, and the metal idol, the priest asked them, "What are you doing?"
19
They told him, "Keep quiet! Don't say a word! Come with us and be our father and priest. Is it better for you to be a priest for one man's house or for a tribe in Israel and its families?"
20
The priest was content. He took the ephod, the household idols, and the carved idol and went with the people.
21
When they left, they put their children, livestock, and property in front of them.
22
When they had already gone some distance from Micah's house, Micah's neighbors were called together to help him catch up to the people of Dan.
23
They shouted at them. But the people of Dan turned around and said to Micah, "What's your problem? Why did you call your neighbors together to attack us?"
24
Micah answered, "You've taken away the gods I made as well as my priest. What do I have left? How can you say to me, 'What's your problem?'"
25
The people of Dan replied, "Don't make another sound, or some violent men will attack you. Then you and your family will lose your lives."
26
The people of Dan went on their way. Micah saw they were stronger than he was, so he turned around and went home.
27
The people of Dan took what Micah had made and the man who had become his priest and went to the city of Laish. They attacked a peaceful and secure people, killed them all with swords, and burned their city.