17. The five men who went to spy out the land went in and took the carved idol, ephod, household idols, and the metal idol. The priest was standing at the entrance to the gate with the six hundred fully armed men.
18. When these men went into the house of Micah and took the carved idol, ephod, household idols, and the metal idol, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”
19. They said to him, “Quiet! Put your hand over your mouth and go with us. Be a father and priest for us. Is it better to be a priest for one man’s house or for a tribe and a family in Israel?”
20. So the priest’s heart was glad. He took the ephod, the household idols, and the carved image and went among the people.
21. So they turned and left, putting the children, livestock, and valuables in front of them.
22. They had gone far from the house of Micah, but the neighbors of Micah assembled and caught up to the children of Dan.
23. They called out to the children of Dan. So they turned and said to Micah, “What is wrong that have you assembled together?”
24. He said, “You took the gods that I made, and the priest, and then you left. What do I have left? So what is this that you say to me, ‘What is wrong?’ ”
25. The children of Dan said to him, “Do not let us hear your voice again. Otherwise bitter men might meet you and you will forfeit your life and the lives of your family.”
26. So the children of Dan went their way. And when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.
27. They took what Micah had made and his priest, and came to Laish to a quiet and secure people. They struck them down with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire.
28. There was no one to save them because the city was far from Sidon and had no contact with anyone. It was in the valley by Beth Rehob.They rebuilt the city and lived there.