7. The five men left and came to Laish. They saw that the people who were there were living securely, in the same way as the Sidonians, quiet and unsuspecting. There was nothing lacking in the land and no oppressive ruler. They were far from the Sidonians, having no alliance with anyone.
8. When the men went back to their clans at Zorah and Eshtaol, their people asked them, “What did you find out? ”
9. They answered, “Come on, let’s go up against them, for we have seen the land, and it is very good. Why wait? Don’t hesitate to go and invade and take possession of the land!
10. When you get there, you will come to an unsuspecting people and a spacious land, for God has handed it over to you. It is a place where nothing on earth is lacking.”
11. Six hundred Danites departed from Zorah and Eshtaol armed with weapons of war.
12. They went up and camped at Kiriath-jearim in Judah. This is why the place is called the Camp of Dan to this day; it is west of Kiriath-jearim.
13. From there they traveled to the hill country of Ephraim and arrived at Micah’s house.
14. The five men who had gone to scout out the land of Laish told their brothers, “Did you know that there are an ephod, household gods, and a carved image overlaid with silver in these houses? Now think about what you should do.”
15. So they detoured there and went to the house of the young Levite at the home of Micah and greeted him.
16. The 600 Danite men were standing by the entrance of the gate, armed with their weapons of war.
17. Then the five men who had gone to scout out the land went in and took the carved image overlaid with silver, the ephod, and the household idols, while the priest was standing by the entrance of the gate with the 600 men armed with weapons of war.
18. When they entered Micah’s house and took the carved image overlaid with silver, the ephod, and the household idols, the priest said to them, “What are you doing? ”
19. They told him, “Be quiet. Keep your mouth shut. Come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or for you to be a priest for a tribe and family in Israel? ”
20. So the priest was pleased and took his ephod, household idols, and carved image, and went with the people.
21. They prepared to leave, putting their small children, livestock, and possessions in front of them.