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DECISION OF THE TRIBE OF DAN

Text: Judges 18
13 February 2012

DECISION OF THE TRIBE OF DAN

1. To invade Laish Judges 18:9a

2. A force of 600 armed Danites was mustered Judges 18:11

RECOMMENDATION OF THE FIVE SPIES

1. Suggested they take the idols of Micah first Judges 18:14-16

2. They took all the idols from Micah’s shrine Judges 18:17

CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE LEVITE AND THE DANITES

1. The Levite questioned the Danites as to their action Judges 18:18

2. The Reply of the Danites

a) Warned the Levite to be quiet and not to resist

b) Made a better job offer than Micah

c) He could be the priest of the tribe of Dan rather than be a priest of a household

3. Acceptance of the Levite Judges 18:20

CONFRONTATION OF THE DANITES BY THE NEIGHBOURS OF MICAH

1. The Danites taunted Micah and company
“What ails you that you have gathered such a company?” Judges 18:23

2. Micah’s complaint

a) He had been robbed of his idols

b) The priest had also been taken away Judges 18:24

3. Subtle warning of the Danites Judges 18:25

a) Rejected their complaint

b) They could lose their lives if they pursued the matter

4. Micah backed away Judges 18:26

ATTACK OF LAISH Judges 18:27-29

1. City of Laish put to the sword

2. City set on fire

REBUILDING AND RENAMING OF THE CITY

1. The city was renamed Dan

2. The idols of Micah were now enshrined in the city

3. A new family of priests replaced the Levite

4. Jonathan the son of Gershom Judges 18:30

a) Son of Manasseh (Masoretic text)

b) Son of Moses (Septuagint/ Vulgate)

THE HOUSE OF GOD IN SHILOH

1. Shiloh was near Jerusalem (south)

2. This was far away from Dan (north)