Introduction
Overview
Judges 18 . 1 , The Danites send five men to seek out an inheritance; Judges 18 . 3 , At the house of Micah they consult with Jonathan , and are encouraged on their way; Judges 18 . 7 , They search Laish , and bring back news of good hope; Judges 18 . 11 , Six hundred men are sent to surprise it; Judges 18 . 14 , In their way they rob Micah of his priest and his consecrated things; Judges 18 . 27 , They win Laish , and call it Dan; Judges 18 . 30 , They set up idolatry , wherein Jonathan inherits the priesthood.
no king . The word mailech , which generally means a king , is sometimes taken for a supreme ruler , governor , or judge . see note on Genesis 36 . 31 , and see note on Deuteronomy 33 . 5 , and it is probable it should be so understood here , and in the parallel passages. Judges 17 . 6 , Judges 19 . 1 , Judges 21 . 25
the tribe . Joshua 19 . 40-48
for unto . Judges 1 . 34
Reciprocal . Genesis 49 . 16 . General Joshua 19 . 47 . the coast Judges 18 . 28 . far from Mark 14 . 26 . hymn
men . Heb. sons
Zorah . Judges 18 . 8 , Judges 18 . 11 , Judges 13 . 2 , Judges 13 . 25 , Judges 16 . 31 , Genesis 42 . 9 , Joshua 19 . 41
to spy . Numbers 13 . 17 , Joshua 2 . 1 , Proverbs 20 . 18 , Luke 14 . 31
mount . Judges 17 . 1 , Judges 19 . 1 , Judges 19 . 18 , Joshua 17 . 15-18
Reciprocal . Genesis 49 . 16 . General Judges 1 . 23 . sent Judges 18 . 13 . mount Ephraim Judges 18 . 17 . five men 1 Chronicles 19 . 3 . to search
they knew . They knew by his dialect or mode of pronunciation , that he was not an Ephraimite . see the parallel texts. Judges 12 . 6 , Genesis 27 . 22 , Matthew 26 . 73
and what hast . Isaiah 22 . 16
Reciprocal . Judges 18 . 13 . mount Ephraim Judges 18 . 14 . in these Isaiah 52 . 5 . what
hired me . Judges 17 . 10 , Proverbs 28 . 21 , Isaiah 56 . 11 , Ezekiel 13 . 19 , Hosea 4 . 8 , Hosea 4 . 9 , Malachi 1 . 10 , John 10 . 12 , John 10 . 13 , Acts 8 . 18-21 , Acts 20 . 33 , 1 Timothy 3 . 3 , Titus 1 . 11 , 2 Peter 2 . 3 , 2 Peter 2 . 14 , 2 Peter 2 . 15
Reciprocal . Judges 18 . 14 . in these 2 Samuel 20 . 21 . his head
Ask counsel . 1 Kings 22 . 5 , 2 Kings 16 . 15 , Isaiah 30 . 1 , Ezekiel 21 . 21 , Hosea 4 . 12 , Acts 8 . 10
of God . Judges 18 . 14 , Judges 17 . 5 , Judges 17 . 13
Reciprocal . Genesis 24 . 14 . thereby Judges 17 . 3 . I had wholly
Go in peace . 1 Kings 22 . 6 , 1 Kings 22 . 12 , 1 Kings 22 . 15 , Jeremiah 23 . 21 , Jeremiah 23 . 22 , Jeremiah 23 . 32
before . Deuteronomy 11 . 12 , Psalm 33 . 18 , 1 Thessalonians 3 . 11
the Lord . As the Levite uses the word Jehovah , and as the Danites succeeded according to the oracle delivered by him , some learned men are of opinion , that the worship established by Micah was not of an idolatrous kind.
Reciprocal . 1 Samuel 1 . 17 . Go Acts 16 . 36 . and go
Laish . Joshua 19 . 47 , called Leshem
how they . Judges 18 . 27 , Judges 18 . 28 , Revelation 18 . 7
magistrate . Heb. possessor , or , heir of restraint , 1 Samuel 3 . 13 , 1 Kings 1 . 6 , Romans 13 . 3 , 1 Peter 2 . 14
and had no . In the most correct copies of the LXX this clause stands thus; ךבי כןדןע ןץך חם בץפןיע לופב ץסיבע; "and they had no transactions with Syria;" evidently reading instead of אדם [Strong's H120] , adam , man , ארם [Strong's H758] , aram , Syria; words so nearly similar that the only difference between them is in the ר , raish , and ד , daleth , which in both manuscripts and printed books is sometimes indiscernible. Laish was situated on the frontiers of Syria.
Reciprocal . Judges 3 . 3 . Sidonians Judges 18 . 10 . secure Judges 21 . 25 . right 1 Kings 16 . 31 . the Zidonians 1 Chronicles 4 . 40 . the land Isaiah 10 . 30 . Laish Isaiah 47 . 8 . given Jeremiah 49 . 31 . that Ezekiel 30 . 9 . careless Ezekiel 38 . 11 . go to Ezekiel 39 . 6 . carelessly Amos 6 . 1 . to them
Zorah and Eshtaol . Judges 18 . 2 , Judges 18 . 11 , Judges 13 . 2 , Judges 16 . 31
Reciprocal . 1 Chronicles 19 . 3 . to search
Arise . Numbers 13 . 30 , Numbers 14 . 7-9 , Joshua 2 . 23 , Joshua 2 . 24
are ye still . 1 Kings 22 . 23
be not . Joshua 18 . 3 , 1 Samuel 4 . 9 , 2 Samuel 10 . 12 , John 6 . 27 , Hebrews 6 . 11 , Hebrews 6 . 12 , 2 Peter 1 . 10 , 2 Peter 1 . 11
Reciprocal . 2 Samuel 19 . 10 . speak ye not a word 1 Chronicles 22 . 16 . Arise
secure . Judges 18 . 7 , Judges 18 . 27
God hath . Deuteronomy 2 . 29 , Deuteronomy 4 . 1 , Joshua 6 . 16
where there . Exodus 3 . 8 , Deuteronomy 8 . 7-9 , Deuteronomy 11 . 11 , Deuteronomy 11 . 12 , Ezekiel 20 . 6 , 1 Timothy 6 . 17
Reciprocal . 1 Chronicles 22 . 16 . Arise Ecclesiastes 6 . 2 . so
appointed . Heb. girded , Judges 18 . 11
Reciprocal . Judges 13 . 25 . between Judges 18 . 2 . Zorah Judges 18 . 8 . Zorah and Eshtaol Judges 18 . 16 . six hundred
Kirjathjearim . A city of Judah , on the confines of Benjamin; distant nine miles from Alia or Jerusalem , in going towards Diospolis or Lydda , according to Eusebius. Joshua 15 . 60 , 1 Samuel 7 . 1 , 1 Chronicles 13 . 5 , 1 Chronicles 13 . 6 , 2 Chronicles 1 . 4
Mahanehdan . Judges 13 . 25 , *marg.
Reciprocal . Joshua 15 . 9 . Kirjathjearim 1 Samuel 6 . 21 . Kirjathjearim Nehemiah 7 . 29 . Kirjathjearim
mount Ephraim . Judges 18 . 2 , Judges 18 . 3 , Judges 17 . 1 , Judges 19 . 1 , Joshua 24 . 30 , Joshua 24 . 33
Then . 1 Samuel 14 . 28
in these . Judges 18 . 3 , Judges 18 . 4 , Judges 17 . 5
now therefore . Proverbs 19 . 27 , Isaiah 8 . 19 , Isaiah 8 . 20
Reciprocal . Genesis 31 . 19 . images Joshua 2 . 1 . to spy secretly Judges 8 . 27 . an ephod Judges 18 . 5 . of God Judges 18 . 17 . five men 1 Samuel 19 . 13 . an image Job 3 . 2 . spake Ezekiel 21 . 21 . images Zechariah 10 . 2 . the idols
saluted him . Heb. asked him of peace , Genesis 37 . 14 , Genesis 43 . 27 , 1 Samuel 17 . 22 , *marg. 2 Kings 4 . 26 , Matthew 10 . 12 , Matthew 10 . 13 , Luke 10 . 4-6 , John 14 . 27
Reciprocal . 1 Samuel 10 . 4 . salute thee Jeremiah 15 . 5 . how thou doest
six hundred . Judges 18 . 11
five men . Judges 18 . 2 , Judges 18 . 14
the graven . Judges 6 . 31 , Judges 17 . 4 , Judges 17 . 5 , Exodus 32 . 20 , 1 Samuel 4 . 11 , 1 Samuel 6 . 2-9 , 2 Kings 19 . 18 , 2 Kings 19 . 19 , Isaiah 46 . 1 , Isaiah 46 . 2 , Isaiah 46 . 7
Reciprocal . Joshua 2 . 1 . to spy secretly Judges 8 . 27 . an ephod 1 Samuel 19 . 13 . an image 2 Kings 23 . 24 . images Isaiah 41 . 7 . goldsmith Hosea 3 . 4 . without teraphim
Reciprocal . 2 Kings 23 . 24 . images Isaiah 41 . 7 . goldsmith Isaiah 46 . 2 . but Ezekiel 21 . 21 . images
lay thine . This was the token of silence. These men were evidently very ignorant; and absurdly concluded that they should , by taking Micah's gods , secure the presence and favour of the God of Israel , in their expedition and settlement. They perhaps supposed the piety of their motives , and the goodness of their end , would justify the means. But it was a base robbery of Micah , aggravated by the Levite's ingratitude , and their menaces. Job 21 . 5 , Job 29 . 9 , Job 40 . 4 , Job 40 . 5 , Proverbs 30 . 32 , Micah 7 . 16
a father . Judges 17 . 10 , 2 Kings 6 . 21 , 2 Kings 8 . 8 , 2 Kings 8 . 9 , 2 Kings 13 . 14 , Matthew 23 . 9
Reciprocal . Matthew 26 . 15 . What 1 Timothy 6 . 10 . the love
heart . Judges 17 . 10 , Proverbs 30 . 15 , Isaiah 56 . 11 , Ezekiel 13 . 19 , Hosea 4 . 3 , Acts 20 . 33 , Philippians 3 . 19 , 2 Peter 2 . 3 , 2 Peter 2 . 15 , 2 Peter 2 . 16
went . He was glad of his preferment among the Danites; and went into the crowd , that he might not be discovered by Micah or his family.
Reciprocal . Judges 16 . 25 . their hearts Ezekiel 21 . 21 . images Matthew 26 . 15 . What 1 Timothy 6 . 10 . the love
and put . These men were so confident of success , that they removed their whole families , household goods , cattle , and all.
the carriage . Kevoodah , from kavad , to be heavy , denotes the luggage or baggage. Judges 18 . 21
Reciprocal . Joshua 21 . 31 . Rehob
Reciprocal . Genesis 49 . 17 . shall be
What aileth . Genesis 21 . 17 , 1 Samuel 11 . 5 , 2 Samuel 14 . 5 , 2 Kings 6 . 28 , Psalm 114 . 5 , Isaiah 22 . 1
comest . Heb. art gathered together
Reciprocal . Matthew 19 . 22 . he went Luke 18 . 23 . he was very sorrowful Revelation 18 . 15 . shall
what have . Judges 17 . 13 , Psalm 115 . 8 , Isaiah 44 . 18-20 , Jeremiah 50 . 38 , Jeremiah 51 . 17 , Ezekiel 23 . 5 , Habakkuk 2 . 18 , Habakkuk 2 . 19 , Acts 19 . 26 , Revelation 17 . 2
Reciprocal . Genesis 31 . 30 . my gods Genesis 40 . 7 . Wherefore Judges 17 . 5 . an house of gods Isaiah 41 . 7 . goldsmith Isaiah 44 . 13 . that it may Isaiah 46 . 2 . but Ezekiel 21 . 21 . images Daniel 11 . 8 . their gods Hosea 10 . 5 . for the people Matthew 19 . 22 . he went Luke 18 . 23 . he was very sorrowful Revelation 18 . 15 . shall
angry . Heb. bitter of soul , 1 Samuel 30 . 6 , 2 Samuel 17 . 8 , Job 3 . 5 , Job 27 . 2 , *marg.
Reciprocal . 1 Samuel 2 . 16 . I will take 1 Samuel 22 . 2 . discontented
Reciprocal . Ezekiel 48 . 1 . Dan
Laish . Judges 18 . 7 , Judges 18 . 10
they smote . Deuteronomy 33 . 22 , Joshua 19 . 47
burnt . Joshua 11 . 11
Reciprocal . Judges 8 . 11 . secure Isaiah 47 . 8 . given Jeremiah 49 . 31 . that Ezekiel 38 . 11 . go to 1 Thessalonians 5 . 3 . Peace
And there . 2 Samuel 14 . 6 , *marg. Psalm 7 . 2 , Psalm 50 . 22 , Daniel 3 . 15-17
far from . Probably the people of Laish were originally a colony of the Zidonians; who being an opulent people , and in possession of a strong city , lived in a state of security , not being afraid of their neighbours. In this the Leshemites imitated them , though they appear not to have had the same reason for their confidence; and though they might naturally expect help from their countrymen , yet as they lived at a considerable distance from Sidon , the Danites saw they could strike the blow before the news of the invasion could reach that city. Judges 18 . 1 , Judges 18 . 7 , Joshua 11 . 8 , Isaiah 23 . 4 , Isaiah 23 . 12
Bethrehob . Numbers 13 . 21 , Rehob , 2 Samuel 10 . 6
Reciprocal . 2 Samuel 24 . 6 . Zidon 2 Chronicles 16 . 4 . Dan Jeremiah 49 . 31 . which dwell 1 Thessalonians 5 . 3 . Peace
Dan . Judges 20 . 1 , Genesis 14 . 14 , Joshua 19 . 47 , 2 Samuel 17 . 11 , 1 Kings 12 . 29 , 1 Kings 12 . 30 , 1 Kings 15 . 20
who was . Genesis 30 . 6 , Genesis 32 . 28 , Laish , or Dan , was situated at the northern extremity of the land of Canaan , in a beautiful and fertile plain , at the foot of mount Lebanon , on the springs of Jordan , and , according to Eusebius , four miles from Cesarea Philippi , or Paneas , now Banias . with which some have confounded it towards Tyre. Burckhardt says , that the source of the river El Dhan , or Jordan , is at an hour's distance from Banias , which agrees with Eusebius.
Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 34 . 1 . Dan 2 Samuel 24 . 6 . land of Tahtimhodshi 2 Chronicles 16 . 4 . Dan Isaiah 10 . 30 . Laish Jeremiah 4 . 15 . a voice Jeremiah 8 . 16 . was heard Ezekiel 27 . 19 . Dan 1 Timothy 6 . 10 . the love
set up . Exodus 20 . 4 , Leviticus 26 . 1 , Deuteronomy 17 . 2-7 , Deuteronomy 27 . 15 , Deuteronomy 31 . 16 , Deuteronomy 31 . 29 , Joshua 19 . 40-48 , Psalm 78 . 58-61 , God had graciously performed his promise , in putting these Danites in possession of that which fell to their lot , obliging them thereby to be faithful to him who had been so to them; they inherited the labour of the people , that they might observe his statues. Psalm 105 . 44 , Psalm 105 . 45. But the first thing they do after they are settled is to break his laws , by setting up the graven image , attributing their success to that idol , which , if God had not been infinitely patient , would have been their ruin. Thus a prosperous idolater goes on to offend , imputing this his power unto his God. Instead of Manasseh , some would read Moses; as it is found in some manuscripts , in the Vulgate and in the concessions of the most intelligent Jews. But Bp. Patrick takes this to be an idle conceit of the Rabbins , and supposes this Jonathan to be of some other family of the Levites. Yet Kimchi acknowledges , that the Jews , deeply concerned for the honour of their lawgiver , to whom they thought it would be a great dishonour to have a grandson who was an idolater , suspended the letter , נ , noon , over the word מש [Strong's H4872] , [Strong's H4873] , Moses , thus מנשה [Strong's H4519] , as it is found in the Hebrew Bibles; which , by means of the points , they have changed into Manasseh.
until . Judges 13 . 1; 1 Samuel 4 . 2-3 , 1 Samuel 4 . 10-11; Psalm 78 . 60-62
the land . Houbigant contends , that , instead of haaretz , "the land ," we should read haaron , "the ark;" for the ו , wav , and ן , noon final , might easily be mistaken for ץ , tzadday final; which is the only difference between the two words. This conjecture is the more likely , as the next #### Verse tells us , that Micah's graven image continued at Dan "all the time that the house of God was at Shiloh;" which was till the ark was taken by the Philistines.
Reciprocal . Judges 17 . 12 . his priest Psalm 78 . 61 . his strength
all the time . Judges 19 . 18 , Judges 21 . 21 , Joshua 18 . 1 , 1 Samuel 1 . 3 , 1 Samuel 4 . 4 , Jeremiah 7 . 12
Reciprocal . Genesis 31 . 19 . images Judges 20 . 18 . house of Acts 7 . 45 . Which