The account of Micah and the Danites is found in the Book of Judges, chapters 17 and 18. This narrative provides a vivid illustration of the spiritual and moral decline in Israel during the period of the judges, characterized by the repeated refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6).

Micah's Idolatry

The account begins with a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim. Micah confesses to his mother that he had taken 1,100 pieces of silver from her, which she had cursed. Upon his confession, his mother blesses him and dedicates the silver to the LORD to make a carved image and a metal idol (Judges 17:1-3). Micah returns the silver to his mother, who gives 200 pieces to a silversmith to create the idols. Micah then sets up a shrine in his house, makes an ephod and household gods, and installs one of his sons as a priest (Judges 17:4-5).

This act of idolatry is a direct violation of the commandments given to Israel, which prohibit the making of graven images and the worship of idols (Exodus 20:4-5). Micah's actions reflect the syncretism and religious confusion prevalent in Israel at the time.

The Levite's Role

A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, seeking a place to stay, comes to Micah's house. Micah offers him the position of priest, providing him with ten pieces of silver a year, clothing, and food. The Levite agrees, and Micah installs him as his personal priest, believing that having a Levite as a priest would bring him favor from the LORD (Judges 17:7-13).

This arrangement further illustrates the spiritual disorder in Israel, as the Levites were designated to serve in the tabernacle and not in private homes. The Levite's willingness to serve in Micah's idolatrous shrine underscores the lack of adherence to God's ordained religious practices.

The Danites' Involvement

The tribe of Dan, seeking an inheritance to settle in, sends five men to spy out the land. They come to Micah's house and recognize the voice of the young Levite. After learning about his role, they inquire of him whether their journey will be successful, and he assures them of God's favor (Judges 18:1-6).

Encouraged by the Levite's words, the Danites proceed to Laish, a peaceful and unsuspecting city. They return to their tribe and report the land's desirability. Six hundred Danite men armed for battle set out to conquer Laish. On their way, they stop at Micah's house and seize the carved image, the ephod, the household gods, and the metal idol. They persuade the Levite to join them as their priest, offering him a more prestigious position (Judges 18:7-20).

Micah, realizing his loss, pursues the Danites but is unable to recover his idols or priest. The Danites continue to Laish, attack the city, and rename it Dan. They set up the carved image for themselves, and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons serve as priests for the tribe of Dan until the captivity of the land (Judges 18:21-31).

Significance

The narrative of Micah and the Danites highlights the pervasive idolatry and disregard for God's commandments during the time of the judges. It serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of abandoning divine law and the ease with which religious practices can be corrupted when individuals and tribes follow their own desires rather than God's will.