17. the five scouts entered the shrine and removed the carved image, the sacred ephod, the household idols, and the cast idol. Meanwhile, the priest was standing at the gate with the 600 armed warriors.
18. When the priest saw the men carrying all the sacred objects out of Micah’s shrine, he said, “What are you doing?”
19. “Be quiet and come with us,” they said. “Be a father and priest to all of us. Isn’t it better to be a priest for an entire tribe and clan of Israel than for the household of just one man?”
20. The young priest was quite happy to go with them, so he took along the sacred ephod, the household idols, and the carved image.
21. They turned and started on their way again, placing their children, livestock, and possessions in front of them.
22. When the people from the tribe of Dan were quite a distance from Micah’s house, the people who lived near Micah came chasing after them.
23. They were shouting as they caught up with them. The men of Dan turned around and said to Micah, “What’s the matter? Why have you called these men together and chased after us like this?”
24. “What do you mean, ‘What’s the matter?’” Micah replied. “You’ve taken away all the gods I have made, and my priest, and I have nothing left!”
25. The men of Dan said, “Watch what you say! There are some short-tempered men around here who might get angry and kill you and your family.”
26. So the men of Dan continued on their way. When Micah saw that there were too many of them for him to attack, he turned around and went home.