Judges 18:14-27

14The five men who had explored the land of Laish said to their relatives, ‘Do you know that in one of these houses there is an ephod, some small idols, an image and a metal idol. Think carefully and decide what to do.’

15So they went into Micah's house, where the young Levite was living. They said ‘hello’ to him.

16The 600 men of Dan stood at the gate with their weapons.

17The five men who had explored the land went inside. They took all the idols, the image and the priest's ephod. While they did that, the Levite priest was standing at the gate with the 600 soldiers.

18When the priest saw that the five men were taking the things from the house, he asked them, ‘What are you doing?’

19They said to him, ‘Be quiet! Do not say a word. Come with us. You will be our advisor and our priest. That will be much better for you. You will serve a whole Israelite tribe, instead of only one man's family.’

20So the priest was happy. He joined the group of men from Dan's tribe. He took the ephod, the idols and the image with him.

21They left Micah's house to continue their journey. They followed after their children, their animals and all their other things.

22After they had travelled some way, Micah realized what had happened. He brought together his neighbours and they chased after the men of Dan. When they reached them,

23they shouted to them. The men of Dan turned around and they said to Micah, ‘What is the problem? Why have you brought all these men?’

24Micah replied, ‘You have taken away the gods that I made. You have also taken my priest. Now I have nothing left. You should not ask me, “What is the problem?” ’

25The men of Dan said to Micah, ‘Do not argue with us! If you say any more, some of our men may become very angry. They might attack you. You and your family might all die!’

26Then the men of Dan continued on their journey. Micah realized that they were too strong for him. So he turned around and he went home.

27The men of Dan took the idols that Micah had made, as well as his priest. Then they arrived at Laish. The people who lived there were not expecting any trouble. The soldiers of Dan attacked the people with their weapons and they killed them. They destroyed the city with fire.