(18:1) The Dan-ites - The Danites had been assigned enough land to meet their needs (Joshua 19:40-48). However, because they had failed to trust God to help them conquer their territory, the Amorites had forced them into the hill country and wouldn't let them settle in the plains Judges 1:34). Rather than fight for their allotted territory, they preferred to look for new land in the north where resistance from the enemy wouldn't be so tough. It was while they were traveling north that some of their men passed Micah's home and stole some of his idols.

(18:4-6) A Disobedient Priest - Priests and their assistants were all members of the tribe of Levi (Numbers 3:5-13). They were to serve the people, teach them how to worship God, and perform the rituals involved in the worship services both at the tabernacle in Shiloh and in the designated cities throughout the land. But this disobedient priest showed disrespect for God in at least three ways: (1) He performed his duties in a house. Priestly duties were to be performed only in the tabernacle or a designated city. This requirement was intended to prevent God's laws from being changed. (2)

He carried idols with him (18:20). (3) He claimed to speak for God when he had not inquired of God and God had not spoken through him (18:5-6).

(18:11-26) Manipulating God -  Through this entire incident, no one desired to worship God; instead, they wanted to use God for selfish gain. Today some people go to church to feel better, be accepted, be relieved of guilt, or gain business contacts or friends. Following God with an attitude of selfish gain rather than selfless service is just as sinful as not following God.

(18:14) The Ephod - An ephod was a ceremonial vest worn by a priest.

(18:24) Idols of Michah - Micah made idols and hired a priest to run his household religion. When the men of Dan took his idols and priest, nothing remained. What an empty spiritual condition! An idol is anything that takes God's place in a person's life. Some people invest all their energy in the pursuit of money, success, possessions, or a career. If these idols are taken away, only an empty shell of life is left. The only way to protect yourself against such loss is to invest your life in the living God, whom you can never lose.

(18:27) Dan Attack Laish - Did the tribe of Dan have the right to kill the citizens of Laish? No. God had commanded Israel to clean out and destroy certain cities because of their idolatry and wickedness, but Laish did not fall under that judgment. It was not within the assigned boundaries of Dan, and its people were peaceful in contrast to the warlike Canaanites. But the tribe of Dan had no regard for God's law. God's law said to destroy a city for idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:12-15). The Danites themselves were guilty of this sin. This story shows how far some of the tribes had wandered away from God.

(18:27) Success Doesn't Indicate God's Approval - Just because the Danites successfully defeated Laish doesn't mean their actions were right. Their idolatry showed that God was not guiding them. Today many justify their wrong actions by outward signs of success. They think that wealth, popularity, or lack of suffering is an indication of God's blessing. But many stories in the Bible indicate that evil and earthly success can go hand in hand (see, for example, 2 Kings 14:23-29). Success doesn't indicate God's approval. Don't use your personal success, or lack thereof, as a measuring rod for whether you are pleasing God.

(18:30-31) A Wrong Assumption - The tribe of Dan had stolen Micah's idols, and now they set them up in Laish. Although the Danites were actually denying God by worshiping these images (Exodus 20:1-5), they probably assumed they were worshiping God through them (see the note on Exodus 32:4-5). Worshiping images of God is not worshiping God, even if it resembles true worship in some ways. People repeat the same mistake today when they claim to be Christians without really believing in God's power or changing their conduct to conform to his expectations. Godliness cannot be merely a claim. It must be a reality in our motives and in our actions.

(18:31) The Danites Disregard for God - Shiloh was probably destroyed during the events reported in 1 Samuel 4 and 5, not long after the time described here. Because Shiloh was the religious center for Israel, all adult males were required to travel there for certain religious feasts. The tribe of Dan, however, set up idols and priests in the new territory they conquered. The fact that they were over 80 miles away from Shiloh may have been their excuse for not fulfilling the law's requirements. This act was a further demonstration of their disregard for God.

(18;31) Our Idols Will Rule Us - The true worship of God should have been maintained by the Levitical priests scattered throughout the land and the influence of the tabernacle in Shiloh. This story shows how idolatrous influences and sinfulness had crept into every corner of Israelite culture. Although good years had passed since they had entered the Promised Land, they still had not destroyed the idolatry and evil practices within it. When we allow seemingly "harmless" habits to have their own small corners in our lives, they can soon become dominating forces that rule us. The ungodly values, attitudes, and practices you have adopted from the world around you can be exposed by applying the light of God's truth to them. Once you see them for what they are, you can begin to uproot them.