18:1 In those days Israel had no king. And in those days the Danite tribe was looking for a place 1 to settle, because at that time they did not yet have a place to call their own among the tribes of Israel. 2 18:2 The Danites sent out from their whole tribe five representatives, 3 capable men 4 from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and explore it. They said to them, “Go, explore the land.” They came to the Ephraimite hill country and spent the night at Micah’s house. 5 18:3 As they approached 6 Micah’s house, they recognized the accent 7 of the young Levite. So they stopped 8 there and said to him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is your business here?” 9 18:4 He told them what Micah had done for him, saying, 10 “He hired me and I became his priest.” 18:5 They said to him, “Seek a divine oracle for us, 11 so we can know if we will be successful on our mission.” 12 18:6 The priest said to them, “Go with confidence. 13 The Lord will be with you on your mission.” 14
18:7 So the five men journeyed on 15 and arrived in Laish. They noticed that the people there 16 were living securely, like the Sidonians do, 17 undisturbed and unsuspecting. No conqueror was troubling them in any way. 18 They lived far from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone. 19 18:8 When the Danites returned to their tribe 20 in Zorah and Eshtaol, their kinsmen 21 asked them, “How did it go?” 22 18:9 They said, “Come on, let’s attack them, 23 for 24 we saw their land and it is very good. You seem lethargic, 25 but don’t hesitate 26 to invade and conquer 27 the land. 18:10 When you invade, 28 you will encounter 29 unsuspecting people. The land is wide! 30 God is handing it over to you – a place that lacks nothing on earth!” 31