Bible Chapter Summary
Judges 18 Summary
The Danites Seize Micah's Shrine and Laish
Seeking territory, the tribe of Dan sends five spies who lodge with Micah and receive an oracle from his Levite. They scout the quiet, secure city of Laish, then return with six hundred armed men, taking Micah's graven image, ephod, teraphim, and his priest, who gladly joins a whole tribe. When Micah protests, the Danites threaten him and he goes home. They destroy Laish, rebuild it as Dan, and set up the idol with a corrupt priesthood that lasts until the captivity.
Key themes
Key verses
Judges 18:1
“In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.”
Judges 18:30
“And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.”
Judges 18:31
“And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.”
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