1. In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought themselves an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.
2. And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their territory, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.
3. When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in there, and said unto him, Who brought you here? and what are you doing in this place? and what do you have here?
4. And he said unto them, Thus and thus deals Micah with me, and has hired me, and I am his priest.
5. And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray you, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.
6. And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: the LORD is before your way in which you go.
7. Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were there, how they dwelt safely, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might shame them in anything; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man.
8. And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say you?
9. And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are you still here? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.