22. When they had gone some distance from Micah’s house, the men who lived near Micah were called together and overtook the Danites.
23. As they shouted after them, the Danites turned and said to Micah, ‘What’s the matter with you that you called out your men to fight?’
24. He replied, ‘You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, “What’s the matter with you?” ’
25. The Danites answered, ‘Don’t argue with us, or some of the men may get angry and attack you, and you and your family will lose your lives.’
26. So the Danites went their way, and Micah, seeing that they were too strong for him, turned round and went back home.
27. Then they took what Micah had made, and his priest, and went on to Laish, against a people at peace and secure. They attacked them with the sword and burned down their city.
28. There was no one to rescue them because they lived a long way from Sidon and had no relationship with anyone else. The city was in a valley near Beth Rehob.The Danites rebuilt the city and settled there.
29. They named it Dan after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel – though the city used to be called Laish.