The House of Micah is a significant narrative found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 17 and 18. This account provides insight into the religious and moral climate of Israel during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by the repeated phrase, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6).

Background and Setting

The account begins with a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim. Micah's narrative is introduced with an account of his theft of 1,100 pieces of silver from his mother, which he later returns after hearing her curse the thief. His mother, in turn, blesses him and dedicates the silver to the LORD to make a carved image and a cast idol (Judges 17:1-3). This act of creating idols is a direct violation of the Second Commandment, which prohibits the making of graven images (Exodus 20:4-5).

The Shrine and the Levite

Micah uses the silver to create a shrine, complete with an ephod and household gods, and he consecrates one of his sons as a priest (Judges 17:5). This act reflects the syncretism and religious confusion prevalent in Israel at the time, as Micah establishes his own place of worship outside the prescribed Levitical system.

The narrative takes a significant turn when a young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah arrives at Micah's house. Recognizing the Levite's status, Micah offers him a position as his personal priest, providing him with ten shekels of silver a year, clothing, and food (Judges 17:10). The Levite agrees, and Micah installs him as his priest, expressing confidence that the LORD will bless him because he now has a Levite as a priest (Judges 17:13).

The Danite Invasion

The account of the House of Micah continues with the tribe of Dan seeking territory to settle, as they had not yet secured their inheritance among the tribes of Israel. The Danites send five men to spy out the land, and they come to the house of Micah, where they recognize the voice of the young Levite. The spies inquire about his presence, and the Levite explains his arrangement with Micah (Judges 18:1-4).

Encouraged by the Levite's assurance of success, the Danite spies return to their people and report the favorable conditions of the land. The Danites then send 600 armed men to capture the territory. On their way, they stop at Micah's house and seize the carved image, the ephod, the household gods, and the Levite priest (Judges 18:14-17).

When Micah confronts the Danites, they threaten him, and he is forced to return home empty-handed. The Danites proceed to conquer the city of Laish, renaming it Dan, and establish the stolen idols and the Levite as their priest, continuing the idolatrous practices (Judges 18:27-31).

Theological and Moral Implications

The account of the House of Micah serves as a poignant illustration of the spiritual decline and moral relativism during the time of the Judges. It highlights the dangers of idolatry, the corruption of religious practices, and the consequences of abandoning the covenantal relationship with God. The narrative underscores the need for faithful adherence to God's commandments and the centralization of worship as prescribed in the Mosaic Law.