The account of the Young Levite is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 17 and 18. This narrative provides insight into the religious and moral climate of Israel during the time of the Judges, a period marked by a lack of centralized leadership and widespread idolatry.

Background and Context

The account begins with a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim. Micah had stolen a significant amount of silver from his mother, which he later returned. His mother consecrated the silver to the LORD and had a silversmith make an idol from it. Micah established a shrine in his house, complete with an ephod and household gods, and he ordained one of his sons as a priest. This act was a clear violation of the Mosaic Law, which stipulated that only descendants of Aaron could serve as priests and that worship should be centralized at the Tabernacle.

The Arrival of the Young Levite

In Judges 17:7, the narrative introduces a young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah. The Levite was wandering, seeking a place to stay. Micah, upon meeting the Levite, saw an opportunity to legitimize his private shrine by employing a Levite as his priest. He offered the young man ten shekels of silver a year, clothing, and food. The Levite agreed and became like one of Micah's sons, serving as his priest.

Religious and Moral Implications

The presence of the young Levite in Micah's household highlights the religious confusion and apostasy prevalent in Israel at the time. The Levites were set apart for service to the LORD, yet this young Levite compromised his calling for personal gain. His willingness to serve in a shrine with idols underscores the departure from true worship and the neglect of the Levitical duties as prescribed in the Law.

The Danite Invasion

The account takes a significant turn in Judges 18 when the tribe of Dan, seeking territory to settle, sends five men to spy out the land. They come across Micah's house and recognize the voice of the young Levite. Upon inquiry, they learn of his role as a priest in Micah's household. The Danites, impressed by the Levite's presence, later return with six hundred armed men to seize Micah's idols and persuade the Levite to become their priest. They argue that serving a tribe is more prestigious than serving one man's household. The Levite, swayed by the prospect of greater influence, agrees and departs with them, taking the idols and ephod.

Consequences and Legacy

The actions of the young Levite and the Danites had lasting consequences. The tribe of Dan established a city in Laish, renaming it Dan, and set up the idols for worship. This idolatrous practice continued for many years, as noted in Judges 18:30-31: "The Danites set up for themselves the carved image, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land. So they set up for themselves Micah’s carved image, and it was there the whole time the house of God was in Shiloh."

The account of the young Levite serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of religious compromise and the consequences of straying from God's commandments. It reflects the broader theme of the Book of Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25), illustrating the need for faithful adherence to God's law and the dangers of idolatry.