14. The five men who had explored the land around Laish said to their relatives, “Do you know in one of these houses there are a holy vest, household gods, an idol, and a statue? You know what to do.”
15. So they stopped at the Levite’s house, which was also Micah’s house, and greeted the Levite.
16. The six hundred Danites stood at the entrance gate, wearing their weapons of war.
17. The five spies went into the house and took the idol, the holy vest, the household idols, and the statue. The priest and the six hundred men armed for war stood by the entrance gate.
18. When the spies went into Micah’s house and took the image, the holy vest, the household idols, and the statue, the priest asked them, “What are you doing?”
19. They answered, “Be quiet! Don’t say a word. Come with us and be our father and priest. Is it better for you to be a priest for one man’s house or for a tribe and family group in Israel?”
20. This made the priest happy. So he took the holy vest, the household idols, and the idol and went with the Danites.
21. They left Micah’s house, putting their little children, their animals, and everything they owned in front of them.
22. When they had gone a little way from Micah’s house, the men who lived near Micah were called out and caught up with them.
23. The men with Micah shouted at the Danites, who turned around and said to Micah, “What’s the matter with you? Why have you been called out to fight?”
24. Micah answered, “You took my gods that I made and my priest. What do I have left? How can you ask me, ‘What’s the matter?’ ”
25. The Danites answered, “You should not argue with us. Some of our angry men might attack you, killing you and your family.”
26. Then the Danites went on their way. Micah knew they were too strong for him, so he turned and went back home.
27. Then the Danites took what Micah had made and his priest and went on to Laish. They attacked those peaceful people and killed them with their swords and then burned the city.
28. There was no one to save the people of Laish. They lived too far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone else. Laish was in a valley near Beth Rehob.The people of Dan rebuilt the city and lived there.
29. They changed the name of Laish to Dan, naming it for their ancestor Dan, one of the sons of Israel.