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Judges 18

31 verses

TL;DR

The Danites, lacking an inheritance, locate Laish, defeat its people, seize Micah’s idols, and establish a new city where they set up a priesthood of these objects.

Summary

In the absence of a king, the tribe of Dan seeks land and sends five men to scout. They find Laish, a peaceful city with no magistrate, and meet Micah, who has an idol-possessing priest. The Danites persuade the priest to join them, seize Micah’s idols, and bring them back. The Danites then attack and burn Laish, settling in the valley, naming the new city Dan. They establish a priesthood around the stolen images and keep the cult active for generations.

Outline
  1. Danite reconnaissance and recruitment of a priest
  2. Capture of Laish and removal of Micah’s idols
  3. Founding of Dan city and establishment of an idolatrous priesthood
Themes
Idolatry and the corrupt priesthoodTribal migration and settlementDivine favor and human ambition
Keywords
DanidolatrypriestephodimageLaishIsraelGodwarmigration
People
DanitesZorahEshtaolMicahLeviteJonathanGershomManasseh
Places
LaishZorahEshtaolMount EphraimHouse of MicahKirjathjearimMahanehdanBethrehobSidon
Things
ephodteraphimgraven imagemolten imageweapons of war
Key Verses
  • Judges 18:18: The priest’s acceptance of the Danites’ offer to become a priest for the tribe.
  • Judges 18:27: The burning of Laish marks the decisive conquest and shift of power.
  • Judges 18:31: The establishment of the idol cult for the tribe of Dan indicates lasting idolatry.
Questions
  • Why did the Danites feel compelled to seek new land in the absence of a king?
  • What does the priest’s decision reveal about the nature of leadership in this period?
  • How does the destruction of Laish reflect the moral and theological themes in Judges?
  • What are the implications of establishing an idol cult for the tribe’s identity?
  • In what ways does this account illustrate the cycle of disobedience and consequence in Israel’s history?
Sentiment

neutral
The narrative presents actions without explicit moral judgment; focus is on events and outcomes.