2. The tribe chose five warriors to represent their clans and told them, “Go and find some land where we can live.”The warriors left the area of Zorah and Eshtaol and went into the hill country of Ephraim. One night they stayed at Micah's house,
3. because they heard the young Levite talking, and they knew from his accent that he was from the south. They asked him, “What are you doing here? Who brought you here?”
4. The Levite replied, “Micah hired me as his priest.” Then he told them how well Micah had treated him.
5. “Please talk to God for us,” the men said. “Ask God if we will be successful in what we are trying to do.”
6. “Don't worry,” answered the priest. “The Lord is pleased with what you are doing.”
7. The five men left and went to the town of Laish, whose people were from Sidon, but Sidon was too far away to protect them. Even though their town had no walls, the people thought they were safe from attack. So they had not asked anyone else for protection, which meant that the tribe of Dan could easily take over Laish.
8. The five men went back to Zorah and Eshtaol, where their relatives asked, “Did you find any land?”
15-18. The six hundred warriors left the road and went to the house on Micah's property where the young Levite priest lived. They stood at the gate and greeted the priest. Meanwhile, the five men who had been there before went into Micah's house and took the sacred priestly apron and the idols.“Hey!” the priest shouted. “What do you think you're doing?”
19. “Quiet!” the men said. “Keep your mouth shut and listen. Why don't you come with us and be our priest, so you can tell us what God wants us to do? You could stay here and be a priest for one man's family, but wouldn't you rather be the priest for a clan or even a whole tribe of Israel?”
20. The priest really liked that idea. So he took the apron and the idols and joined the others
21. from the tribe of Dan. Then they turned and left, after putting their children, their cattle, and the rest of their other possessions in front.
22. They had travelled for some time, before Micah asked his neighbours to help him get his things back. He and his men caught up with the people of Dan