2
So the men of Dan chose from their clans five capable warriors from the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol to scout out a land for them to settle in. When these warriors arrived in the hill country of Ephraim, they came to Micah’s house and spent the night there.
3
While at Micah’s house, they recognized the young Levite’s accent, so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here, and what are you doing in this place? Why are you here?”
4
He told them about his agreement with Micah and that he had been hired as Micah’s personal priest.
5
Then they said, “Ask God whether or not our journey will be successful.”
6
“Go in peace,” the priest replied. “For the LORD is watching over your journey.”
7
So the five men went on to the town of Laish, where they noticed the people living carefree lives, like the Sidonians; they were peaceful and secure. The people were also wealthy because their land was very fertile. And they lived a great distance from Sidon and had no allies nearby.
8
When the men returned to Zorah and Eshtaol, their relatives asked them, “What did you find?”
9
The men replied, “Come on, let’s attack them! We have seen the land, and it is very good. What are you waiting for? Don’t hesitate to go and take possession of it.
10
When you get there, you will find the people living carefree lives. God has given us a spacious and fertile land, lacking in nothing!”
11
So 600 men from the tribe of Dan, armed with weapons of war, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol.
12
They camped at a place west of Kiriath-jearim in Judah, which is called Mahaneh-dan to this day.
13
Then they went on from there into the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah.
14
The five men who had scouted out the land around Laish explained to the others, “These buildings contain a sacred ephod, as well as some household idols, a carved image, and a cast idol. What do you think you should do?”
15
Then the five men turned off the road and went over to Micah’s house, where the young Levite lived, and greeted him kindly.
16
As the 600 armed warriors from the tribe of Dan stood at the entrance of the gate,
17
the five scouts entered the shrine and removed the carved image, the sacred ephod, the household idols, and the cast idol. Meanwhile, the priest was standing at the gate with the 600 armed warriors.
18
When the priest saw the men carrying all the sacred objects out of Micah’s shrine, he said, “What are you doing?”
19
“Be quiet and come with us,” they said. “Be a father and priest to all of us. Isn’t it better to be a priest for an entire tribe and clan of Israel than for the household of just one man?”
20
The young priest was quite happy to go with them, so he took along the sacred ephod, the household idols, and the carved image.
21
They turned and started on their way again, placing their children, livestock, and possessions in front of them.
22
When the people from the tribe of Dan were quite a distance from Micah’s house, the people who lived near Micah came chasing after them.