‘In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the people of Dan was seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell in, for until then no inheritance among the tribes of Israel had fallen to them’ (Judges 18:1).

If repetition is a great help when it comes to learning, I don’t think you’d get too much of an argument from the writer of the book of Judges as that’s the technique he applies. In verse 1 of chapter 18 he reminds us that there’s no king, highlighting that the people of Israel are doing their own thing. That being the case, we are now introduced to the Danites who are wandering about and looking for a place to settle down.

However, this should strike us as all wrong. Hadn’t they been granted an inheritance back in the days of Joshua? The answer is yes, but in Judges 1:34 the text tells us that when they went to claim it, the Amorites put up stiff resistance and the Danites had given up on it as a ‘bad job’! So here they are, a few years later (the historical setting being early in the book’s narrative), and they’re still looking for somewhere to settle! Unfortunately, this introduction to the Danites also introduces us to their considerable failings, one of which is covetousness, as they are seeking to take another tribes land by force. So, once again, this demonstrates failure on the part of God’s people.One night five Danites turn up at Micah’s residence. While they’re staying there, they recognise the Levite’s voice. Not unreasonably they ask him what he’s doing there and he gives the explanation that he’s got a cushy job as a priest. So, they ask him to inquire of the Lord for them, will their journey to seek for a place to settle be successful? The priest pretty much tells them what they’d like to hear: “Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord” (v6). But, once again, everything about this is wrong as they had already been granted an inheritance, but they had failed to take it (vs1-6)!

Encouraged by this news, however dubious, the Danites continue on their way until they come to Laish. Figuring the people that have a good life and, more to the point, are isolated, they report to their fellow kinsmen that the town is an easy target (vs7-10). Having a contingent to 600 men and no doubt buoyed up by the priest’s Danite pleasing message, they figure that a bit of looting and kidnapping will be overlooked by the Almighty or, who knows, even approved of! When the priest asks them what they’re doing, after telling him to keep quiet, they make him an offer that they reckon he won’t refuse. “Come with us and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?” (v19). The Levite, probably thinking that career advancement had never come so easily, helps them with some looting and makes his escape with them (vs11-20).

The Danites are a long way down the road before Micah, his family and his servants catch up with them. Not surprisingly, Micah’s somewhat put out, but what he says next shows the pathetic nature of his religion! ‘And he said, “You take my gods that I made and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? How then do you ask me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” (v24). Here we have a man who is centring his whole life around what he has created! However, the Danites show they can be just as pathetic, not just in hanging on to the idols, but by being prepared to fight for them! Being outnumbered, Micah decides to call it a day. When it comes down to it, Micah’s theology wasn’t worth standing up for, and the Danites theology  just consisted of idolatry, insulting language and threats! But what are we to expect when people depart from God’s Law (vs21-26)?

The passage ends with the Danites attacking the unexpecting people of Laish and massacring them. The Danites don’t seem to show any sense of regret over the action they have taken as they rebuild the city, calling it Dan, and setting up ‘the carved image for themselves’ (v30). The Levite’s name is revealed to be Jonathan and he and his sons act as priests acting as rival to the worship at the Tabernacle in Shiloh.

Yet, whereas, often the writers of historical texts in the Bible seemed to offer no judgement (although  we should always read these passages with a mind to what God has ordained through his law) here there is an indication of the writer’s stance. His comments in verses 27 and 29 register strong disapproval. ‘And they named the city Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor, who was born to Israel; but the name of the city was Laish at the first’ (v29).

As these incidents follow on from the events of chapter 17, the writer continues to pose his question, even adding do it. If, when false religion is introduced into a society, it can affect the structure of the home and the family, what does it do to society as a whole if people continue to pursue it?