1. At that time the Israelites did not have a king. The people of Dan were still looking for a land where they could live. They wanted a land of their own. The other tribes of Israel already had their own lands. But the Danites did not yet have their own land.
2. So they chose five soldiers from all their family groups. These five men were from the cities of Zorah and Eshtaol. They sent the men to spy out and explore the land. They were told, “Go, explore the land.”So they came to the mountains of Ephraim. They came to Micah’s house, where they spent the night.
3. When they came near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite. So they stopped at Micah’s house. They asked the young Levite, “Who brought you to this place? What are you doing here? Why are you here?”
4. He told them what Micah had done for him. “He has hired me. I am his priest.”
5. They said to him, “Please ask God something for us. Will our search for a place to live be successful?”
6. The priest said to them, “Go in peace. The Lord is pleased with your journey.”
7. So the five men left. They came to the city of Laish. They saw that the people there lived in safety. They were like the people of Sidon. They lived in peace and were not afraid of others. They had plenty of everything. They lived a long way from the Sidonians. And they had no dealings with anyone else.
8. The five men went back to Zorah and Eshtaol. Their relatives asked them, “What did you find?”
9. They answered, “We have seen the land. And it is very good. We should attack them. Aren’t you going to do something? Don’t wait! Let’s go and take that land!
10. When you go, you will see there is plenty of land. There is plenty of everything! The people are not expecting an attack. Surely God has given that land to us!”
11. So 600 men of Dan left Zorah and Eshtaol. They were ready for war.
12. On their way they stopped near the city of Kiriath Jearim in Judah. They set up camp there. That is why the place is named Mahaneh Dan to this very day. It is west of Kiriath Jearim.
13. From there they traveled on to the mountains of Ephraim. Then they came to Micah’s house.