Book 08 Ruth
Contains spoilers
Summary
- The tribe of Dan sought land for their inheritance, as they had not yet received it in Israel.
- Five valiant men from the tribe of Dan were sent to spy on the land and stayed as guests with Micah in Ephraim.
- They recognized Micah’s Levite priest and asked him to seek God’s counsel for their journey. The priest affirmed their success.
- They spied the land of Laish, noting the people were secure, wealthy, and isolated. The land was good and without a ruler.
- The spies returned to their tribe in Zorah and Eshtaol, encouraging them to seize the land.
- Six hundred armed men of the Danites marched toward Laish, stopping at Micah’s house along the way.
- The five spies informed the Danites about Micah’s ephod, household gods, and idols in his home.
- The Danites took the idols and convinced Micah’s Levite priest to join them as their priest, offering him a greater position.
- Micah pursued the Danites to retrieve his belongings but retreated after realizing he could not overpower them.
- The Danites arrived in Laish, attacked the peaceful city, killed its inhabitants, and burned it to the ground.
- They rebuilt the city, named it "Dan" after their ancestor, and set up Micah’s stolen idols for worship.
- Jonathan, a descendant of Moses, and his sons served as priests for the Danites until Israel’s captivity.