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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Judges, Chapter XVIII].</TITLE>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
<CENTER>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>J U D G E S</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XVIII.</FONT>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
How idolatry crept into the family of Micah we read in the preceding
chapter, how it was translated thence into the tribe of Dan we have an
account in this chapter, and how it gained a settlement in a city of
note; for how great a matter does a little fire kindle! The tribe of
Dan had their lot assigned them last of all the tribes, and, it
happening to be too strait for them, a considerable city in the utmost
corner of Canaan northward was added to it. "Let them get it, and take
it;" it was called Laish or Leshem,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+19:47">Josh. xix. 47</A>.
Now here we are told,
I. How they sent spies to bring them an account of the place, who, by
the way, got acquainted with Micah's priest,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:1-6">ver. 1-6</A>.
II. What an encouraging report these spies brought back,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:7-10">ver. 7-10</A>.
III. What forces were sent to conquer Laish,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:11-13">ver. 11-13</A>.
IV. How they, by the way, plundered Micah of his gods,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:14-26">ver. 14-26</A>.
V. How easily they conquered Laish
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:27-29">ver. 27-29</A>),
and, when they had it, set up the graven image in it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:30,31">ver. 30, 31</A>.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Expedition of the Danites.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1406.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 In those days <I>there was</I> no king in Israel: and in those
days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell
in; for unto that day <I>all their</I> inheritance had not fallen unto
them among the tribes of Israel.
&nbsp; 2 And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from
their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy
out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go,
search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the
house of Micah, they lodged there.
&nbsp; 3 When they <I>were</I> by the house of Micah, they knew the voice
of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said
unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this
<I>place?</I> and what hast thou here?
&nbsp; 4 And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me,
and hath hired me, and I am his priest.
&nbsp; 5 And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God,
that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.
&nbsp; 6 And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
<I>is</I> your way wherein ye go.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here is,
1. The eye which these Danites had upon Laish, not the whole tribe of
Dan, but one family of them, to whose lot, in the subdivision of
Canaan, that city fell. Hitherto this family had sojourned with their
brethren, who had taken possession of their lot, which lay between
Judah and the Philistines, and had declined going to their own city,
because there was <I>no king in Israel</I> to rule over them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
It lay a great way off, separate from the rest of their tribe; it was
entirely in the enemy's hand, and therefore they would sponge upon
their brethren rather than go far to provide for themselves. But at
length necessity forced them to arouse themselves, and they began to
think of an inheritance to dwell in. It is better to have a little of
one's own than always to hang upon others.
2. The enquiry which this family of the Danites made concerning Laish:
They sent <I>five men to search the land</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
that they might know the character of the country, whether it was an
inheritance worth going so far for, and the posture of the people,
whether the making of themselves masters of it was a thing practicable,
what force was necessary in order thereunto, and which was the best way
of making an attack upon it. The men they sent were men of valour, who,
if they fell into their enemies' hands, knew how to look danger in the
face. It is prudent to look before we leap. Dan had the subtlety of
<I>a serpent by the way</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+49:17">Gen. xlix. 17</A>),
as well as the courage of a <I>lion's whelp, leaping from Bashan,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+33:22">Deut. xxxiii. 22</A>.
3. The acquaintance which their spies got with Micah's priest, and the
use they made of that acquaintance. It seems, they had know this Levite
formerly, he having in his rambles been sometimes in their country;
and, though his countenance might be altered, they knew him again by
his voice,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
They were surprised to find him so far off, enquired what brought him
thither, and he told them
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>)
what business he had there, and what encouragement. They, understanding
that he had an oracle in his custody, desired he would tell them
whether they should prosper in their present undertaking,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
See their carelessness and regardlessness of God and his providence;
they would not have enquired of the Lord at all if this Levite's
mentioning the teraphim he had with him had not put it into their
heads. Many never think of religion but just when it falls in their way
and they cannot avoid it, like chance customers. See their ignorance of
the divine law, that they thought God, who had forbidden the religious
use of graven images, would yet own them in consulting an image, and
give them an answer of peace. <I>Should he be enquired of by them?</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+14:3">Ezek. xiv. 3</A>.
They seem to have had a greater opinion of Micah's teraphim than of
God's urim; for they had passed by Shiloh, and, for aught that appears,
had not enquired there of God's high priest, but Micah's shabby Levite
shall be an oracle to them. He betakes himself to his usual method of
consulting his teraphim; and, whether he himself believed it or no, he
humoured the thing so well that he made them believe he had an answer
from God encouraging them to go on, and assuring them of good success
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
"<I>Go in peace,</I> you shall be safe, and may be easy, for <I>before
the Lord is your way,</I>" that is, "he approves it" (as the Lord is
said to <I>know the way of the righteous</I> with acceptation), "and
therefore he will make it prosperous, his eye will be upon you for
good, he will direct your way, and preserve your <I>going out and
coming in."</I> Note, Our great care should be that our way be such as
God approves, and, if it be so, we may <I>go in peace.</I> If God care
for us, on him let us cast our care, and be satisfied that we cannot
miss our way if he <I>go before us.</I></P>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>7 Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the
people that <I>were</I> therein, how they dwelt careless, after the
manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and <I>there was</I> no
magistrate in the land, that might put <I>them</I> to shame in <I>any</I>
thing; and they <I>were</I> far from the Zidonians, and had no
business with <I>any</I> man.
&nbsp; 8 And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and
their brethren said unto them, What <I>say</I> ye?
&nbsp; 9 And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we
have seen the land, and, behold, it <I>is</I> very good: and <I>are</I> ye
still? be not slothful to go, <I>and</I> to enter to possess the land.
&nbsp; 10 When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a
large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where
<I>there is</I> no want of any thing that <I>is</I> in the earth.
&nbsp; 11 And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out
of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with
weapons of war.
&nbsp; 12 And they went up, and pitched in Kirjath-jearim, in Judah:
wherefore they called that place Mahaneh-dan unto this day:
behold, <I>it is</I> behind Kirjath-jearim.
&nbsp; 13 And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the
house of Micah.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here is,
I. The observation which the spies made upon the city of Laish, and the
posture of its inhabitants,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
Never was place so ill governed and so ill guarded, which would make it
a very easy prey to the invader.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. It was ill governed, for every man might be as bad as he would, and
there was no magistrate, no <I>heir of restraint</I> (as the word is),
that might so much as <I>put them to shame in any thing,</I> much less
<I>put them to death,</I> so that by the most impudent immoralities
they provoked God's wrath, and by all manner of mutual mischiefs
weakened and consumed one another. See here,
(1.) What the office of magistrates is. They are to be <I>heirs of
restraint,</I> that is, to preserve a constant entail of power, as
heirs to an inheritance, in the places where they are, for the
restraining of that which is evil. They are <I>possessors of
restraint,</I> entrusted with their authority for this end, that they
may check and suppress every thing that is vicious and be <I>a terror
to evil doers.</I> It is only God's grace that can renew men's depraved
minds and turn their hearts; but the magistrate's power may restrain
their bad practices and tie their hands, so that the wickedness of the
wicked may not be either so injurious or so infectious as otherwise it
would be. Though the sword of justice cannot cut up the root of
bitterness, it may cut off its branches and hinder its growth and
spreading, that vice may not go without a check, for then it becomes
daring and dangerous, and the community shares in the guilt.
(2.) See what method must be used for the restraint of wickedness.
Sinners must be put to shame, that those who will not be restrained by
the shamefulness of the sin before God and their own consciences may be
restrained by the shamefulness of the punishment before men. All ways
must be tried to dash sin out of countenance and cover it with
contempt, to make people ashamed of their idleness, drunkenness,
cheating, lying, and other sins, by making reputation always appear on
virtue's side.
(3.) See how miserable, and how near to ruin, those places are that
either have no magistrates or none that bear the sword to any purpose;
the wicked then <I>walk on every side,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+12:8">Ps. xii. 8</A>.
And how happy we are in good laws and a good government.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. It was ill guarded. The people of Laish were careless, quiet, and
secure, their gates left open, their walls out of repair, because under
no apprehension of danger in any way, though their wickedness was so
great that they had reason to fear divine vengeance every day. It was a
sign that the Israelites, through their sloth and cowardice, were not
now such a terror to the Canaanites as they were when they first came
among them, else the city of Laish, which probably knew itself to be
assigned to them, would not have been so very secure. Though they were
an open and inland town, they <I>lived secure, like the Zidonians</I>
(who were surrounded with the sea and were well fortified both by art
and nature), but were <I>far from the Zidonians,</I> who therefore
could not come in to their assistance, nor help to defend them from the
danger which, by debauching their manners, they had helped to bring
them into. And, <I>lastly,</I> they had <I>no business with any
man,</I> which bespeaks either the idleness they affected (they
followed no trade, and so grew lazy and luxurious, and utterly unable
to defend themselves) or the independency they affected: they scorned
to be either in subjection to or alliance with any of their neighbours,
and so they had none to protect them nor bring in any aid to them. They
cared for nobody and therefore nobody cared for them. Such as these
were the men of Laish.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. The encouragement which they consequently gave to their countrymen
that sent them to prosecute their design upon this city,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:8-10"><I>v.</I> 8-10</A>.
Probably the Danites had formed notions of the insuperable difficulties
of the enterprise, thought it impossible ever to make themselves
masters of Laish, and therefore had kept themselves so long out of the
possession of it, perhaps suggesting likewise to one another, in their
unbelief, that it was not a country worth going so far and running such
a risk for, which jealousies the spies (and they were not, in this,
evil spies) had an eye to in their report.
1. They represent the place as desirable: "If you will trust our
judgments, <I>we have seen the land,</I> and we are agreed in our
verdict upon the view, that, behold, <I>it is very good</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
better than this mountainous country into which we are here crowded by
the Philistines. You need not doubt of living comfortably in it, for it
is a place <I>where there is no want of any thing,</I>"
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
See what a good land Canaan was, that this city which lay furthest of
all northward, in the utmost corner of the country, stood on such a
fruitful spot.
2. They represent it as attainable. They do not at all question but,
with God's blessing, they may soon get possession of it; for <I>the
people are secure,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
And the more secure always the less safe. "God <I>has given it into
your hands,</I> and you may have it for the taking." They stir them up
to the undertaking: "<I>Arise, that we may go up against them,</I> let
us go about it speedily and resolutely." They expostulate with them for
their delays, and chide them out of their sluggishness: <I>Are you
still? Be not slothful to go.</I> Men need to be thus stirred up to
mind even their interest. Heaven is <I>a very good land, where there is
no want of any thing;</I> our God has, by the promise, <I>given it into
our hands;</I> let us not then be slothful in making it sure, and
<I>laying hold on eternal life,</I> but <I>strive to enter.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. The Danites' expedition against Laish. This particular family of
them, to whose lot that city fell, now at length make towards it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:11-13"><I>v.</I> 11-13</A>.
The military men were but 600 in all, not a hundredth part of that
tribe, for when they entered Canaan the Danites were above 64,000,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+26:43">Num. xxvi. 43</A>.
It was strange that none of their brethren of their own tribe, much
less of any other, came in to their assistance; but it was long after
Israel came to Canaan before there appeared among them any thing of a
public spirit, or concern for a common interest, which was the reason
why they seldom united in a common head, and this kept them low and
inconsiderable. It appears (by
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>)
that these 600 were the whole number that went to settle there, for
they had their families and effects with them, their <I>little ones and
cattle,</I> so confident were they of success. The other tribes gave
them a free passage through their country. Their first day's march
brought them to Kirjath-jearim
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
and such rare things had military encampments now become in Israel that
the place where they rested that night was thence called
<I>Mahaneh-dan, the camp of Dan,</I> and probably the place whence they
began their march between Zorah and Eshtaol was called by the same
name, and is meant,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+13:25"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 25</A>.
The second day's march brought them to Mount Ephraim, near Micah's
house
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
and there we must pause awhile.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Micah's Gods Stolen; Micah's Attempt to Recover His Idols.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1406.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country
of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is
in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a
molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.
&nbsp; 15 And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the
young man the Levite, <I>even</I> unto the house of Micah, and saluted
him.
&nbsp; 16 And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war,
which <I>were</I> of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the
gate.
&nbsp; 17 And the five men that went to spy out the land went up,
<I>and</I> came in thither, <I>and</I> took the graven image, and the
ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest
stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men <I>that
were</I> appointed with weapons of war.
&nbsp; 18 And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved
image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then
said the priest unto them, What do ye?
&nbsp; 19 And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon
thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest:
<I>is it</I> better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man,
or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel?
&nbsp; 20 And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and
the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the
people.
&nbsp; 21 So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the
cattle and the carriage before them.
&nbsp; 22 <I>And</I> when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the
men that <I>were</I> in the houses near to Micah's house were gathered
together, and overtook the children of Dan.
&nbsp; 23 And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned
their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou
comest with such a company?
&nbsp; 24 And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and
the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what
<I>is</I> this <I>that</I> ye say unto me, What aileth thee?
&nbsp; 25 And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be
heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose
thy life, with the lives of thy household.
&nbsp; 26 And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw
that they <I>were</I> too strong for him, he turned and went back unto
his house.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The Danites had sent out their spies to find out a country for them,
and they sped well in their search; but here, now that they came to the
place (for till this brought it to their mind it does not appear that
they had mentioned it to their brethren), they oblige them with a
further discovery--they can tell them where there are gods: "Here, <I>in
these houses,</I> there are an ephod, and teraphim, and a great many
fine things for devotion, such as we have not the like in our country;
<I>now therefore consider what you have to do,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
We consulted them, and had a good answer from them; they are worth
having, nay, they are worth stealing (that is, having upon the worst
terms), and, if we can but make ourselves masters of these gods, we may
the better hope to prosper, and make ourselves masters of Laish." So
far they were in the right, that it was desirable to have God's
presence with them, but wretchedly mistaken when they took these images
(which were fitter to be used in a puppet-play than in acts of
devotion) for tokens of God's presence. They thought an oracle would be
pretty company for them in their enterprise, and instead of a council
of war to consult upon every emergency; and, the place they were going
to settle in being so far from Shiloh, they thought they had more need
of a <I>house of gods</I> among themselves than Micah had that lived so
near to it. They might have made as good an ephod and teraphim
themselves as these were, and such as would have served their purpose
every whit as well; but the reputation which they found them in
possession of (though they had had that reputation but a while) amused
them into a strange veneration for this <I>house of gods,</I> which
they would soon have dropped if they had had so much sense as to
enquire into its origin, and examine whether there were any thing
divine in its institution. Being determined to take these gods along
with them, we are here told how they stole the images, cajoled the
priest, and frightened Micah from attempting to rescue them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. The five men that knew the house and the avenues to it, and
particularly the chapel, went in and fetched out the images, with the
ephod, and teraphim, and all the appurtenances, while the 600 kept the
priest in talk at the gate,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:16-18"><I>v.</I> 16-18</A>.
See what little care this sorry priest took of his gods; while he was
sauntering at the gate, and gazing at the strangers, his treasure (such
as it was) was gone. See how impotent these sorry gods were, that could
not keep themselves from being stolen. It is mentioned as the reproach
of idols that they <I>themselves had gone into captivity,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+46:2">Isa. xlvi. 2</A>.
O the sottishness of these Danites! How could they imagine those gods
should protect them that could not keep themselves from being stolen?
Yet because they went by the name of gods, as if it were not enough
that they had with them the presence of the invisible God, nor that
they stood in relation to the tabernacle, where there were even visible
tokens of his presence, nothing will serve them but they must have
<I>gods to go before them,</I> not of their own making indeed, but,
which was as bad, of their own stealing. Their idolatry began in theft,
a proper prologue for such an opera. In order to the breaking of the
second commandment, they begin with the eighth, and take their
neighbour's goods to make them their gods. The holy God <I>hates
robbery for burnt-offerings,</I> but the devil loves it. Had these
Danites seized the images to deface and abolish them, and the priest to
punish him, they would have done like Israelites indeed, and would have
appeared jealous for their God as their fathers had done
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+22:16">Josh. xxii. 16</A>);
but to take them for their own use was such a complicated crime as
showed that they neither feared God nor regarded man, but were
perfectly lost both to godliness and honesty.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. They set upon the priest, and flattered him into a good humour, not
only to let the gods go, but to go himself along with them; for without
him they knew not well how to make use of the gods. Observe,
1. How they tempted him,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
They assured him of better preferment with them than what he now had.
It would be more honour and profit to be chaplain to a regiment (for
they were no more, though they called themselves a <I>tribe</I>) than
to be only a domestic chaplain to a private gentleman. Let him go with
them, and he shall have more dependants on him, more sacrifices brought
to his altar, and more fees for consulting his teraphim, than he had
here.
2. How they won him. A little persuasion served: <I>His heart was
glad,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
The proposal took well enough with his rambling fancy, which would
never let him stay long at a place, and gratified his covetousness and
ambition. He had no reason to say but that he was well off where he
was; Micah had not <I>deceived him, nor changed his wages.</I> He was
not moved with any remorse of conscience for attending on a graven
image: had he gone away to Shiloh to minister to the Lord's priests,
according to the duty of a Levite, he might have been welcome there
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+18:6">Deut. xviii. 6</A>),
and his removal would have been commendable; but, instead of this, he
takes the images with him, and carries the infection of the idolatry
into a whole city. It would have been very unjust and ungrateful to
Micah if he had only gone away himself, but it was much more so to take
the images along with him, which he knew the heart of Micah was set
upon. Yet better could not be expected from a treacherous Levite. What
house can be sure of him who has forsaken the house of the Lord? Or
what friend will he be true to that has been false to his God? He
could not pretend that he was under compulsive force, for he was
<I>glad in his heart</I> to go. If ten shekels won him (as bishop Hall
expresses it), eleven would lose him; for what can hold those that have
made shipwreck of a good conscience? <I>The hireling flees because he
is a hireling.</I> The priest and his gods went in <I>the midst of the
people.</I> There they placed him, that they might secure him either
from going back himself, if his mind should change, or from being
fetched back by Micah; or perhaps this post was assigned to him in
imitation of the order of Israel's march through the wilderness, in
which the ark and the priests went in the midst of their camp.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. They frightened Micah back when he pursued them to recover his
gods. As soon as ever he perceived that his chapel was plundered, and
his chaplain had run away from him, he mustered all the forces he could
and pursued the robbers,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
His neighbours, and perhaps tenants, that used to join with him in his
devotions, were forward to help him on this occasion; they got
together, and pursued the robbers, who, having their children and
cattle before them
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
could make no great haste, so that they soon overtook them, hoping by
strength of reason to recover what was stolen, for the disproportion of
their numbers was such that they could not hope to do it by strength of
arm. The pursuers called after them, desiring to speak a word with
them; those in the rear (where it is probable they posted the fiercest
and strongest of their company, expecting there to be attacked) turned
about and asked Micah what ailed him that he was so much concerned, and
what he would have,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
He argues with them, and pleads his right, which he thought should
prevail; but they, in answer, plead their might, which, it proved, did
prevail; for it is common that might overcomes right.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. He insists upon the wrong they had certainly done him
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>):
"<I>You have taken away my gods,</I> my images of God, which I have an
incontestable title to, for I made them myself, and which I have such
an affection for that I am undone if I lose them; for what have I more
that will do me any good if these be lost?" Now,
(1.) This discovers to us the folly of idolaters, and the power that
Satan has over them. What a folly was it for him to call those his
<I>gods</I> which he had made, when he only that made us is to be
worshipped by us as a God! Folly indeed to set his heart upon such
silly idle things, and to look upon himself as undone when he had lost
them!
(2.) This may discover to us our spiritual idolatry. That creature
which we place our happiness in, which we set our affections
inordinately upon, and which we can by no means find in our hearts to
part with, of which we say, "What have we more?" <I>that</I> we make an
idol of. That is put in God's place, and is a usurper, which we are
concerned about as if our life and comfort, our hope and happiness, and
our all, were bound up in it. But,
(3.) If all people will thus walk in the name of their god, shall we
not be in like manner affected towards our God, the true God? Let us
reckon the having of an interest in God and communion with him
incomparably the richest portion, and the loss of God the sorest loss.
Woe unto us if he depart, for what have we more? Deserted souls that
are lamenting after the Lord may well wonder, as Micah did, that you
should ask what ails them; for the tokens of God's favour are
suspended, his comforts are withdrawn, and what have they more?</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. They insist upon the mischief they would certainly do him if he
prosecuted his demand. They would not hear reason, nor do justice, nor
so much as offer to pay him the prime cost he had been at upon those
images, nor promise to make restitution of what they had taken when
they had served their present purpose with them in this expedition and
had time to copy them and make others like them for themselves: much
less had they any compassion for a loss he so bitterly lamented. They
would not so much as give him good words, but resolved to justify their
robbery with murder if he did not immediately let fall his claims,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
"Take heed <I>lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy
life,</I> and that is worse than losing thy gods." Wicked and
unreasonable men reckon it a great provocation to be asked to do
justice, and support themselves by their power against right and
reason. Micah's crime is asking his own, yet, for this, he is in danger
of losing his life and the lives of his household. Micah has not
courage enough to venture his life for the rescue of his gods, so
little opinion has he of their being able to protect him and bear him
out, and therefore tamely gives them up
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>):
<I>He turned and went back to his house;</I> and if the loss of his
idols did but convince him (as, one would think, it should) of their
vanity and impotency, and his own folly in setting his heart upon them,
and send him back to the true God from whom he had revolted, he that
lost them had a much better bargain than those that by force of arms
carried them off. If the loss of our idols cure us of the love of them,
and make us say, <I>What have we to do any more with idols?</I> the
loss will be unspeakable gain. See
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+2:20,30:22">Isa. ii. 20; xxx. 22</A>.</P>
<A NAME="Jud18_27"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud18_28"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud18_29"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud18_30"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud18_31"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Conquest of Laish.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1406.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>27 And they took <I>the things</I> which Micah had made, and the
priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people <I>that
were</I> at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of
the sword, and burnt the city with fire.
&nbsp; 28 And <I>there was</I> no deliverer, because it <I>was</I> far from
Zidon, and they had no business with <I>any</I> man; and it was in the
valley that <I>lieth</I> by Beth-rehob. And they built a city, and
dwelt therein.
&nbsp; 29 And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of
Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of
the city <I>was</I> Laish at the first.
&nbsp; 30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and
Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his
sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the
captivity of the land.
&nbsp; 31 And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made,
all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here is,
I. Laish conquered by the Danites. They proceeded on their march, and,
because they met with no disaster, perhaps concluded they had not done
amiss in robbing Micah. Many justify themselves in their impiety by
their prosperity. Observe,
1. What posture they found the people of Laish in, both those of the
city and those of the country about. They were quiet and secure, not
jealous of the five spies that had been among them to search out the
land, nor had they any intelligence of the approach of this enemy,
which made them a very easy prey to this little handful of men that
came upon them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
Note, Many are brought to destruction by their security. Satan gets
advantage against us when we are careless and off our watch. Happy
therefore is the man that feareth always.
2. What a complete victory they obtained over them: They <I>put all the
people to the sword,</I> and burnt down so much of the city as they
thought fit to rebuild
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:27,28"><I>v.</I> 27, 28</A>),
and, for aught that appears, herein they met with no resistance; for
the measure of the iniquity of the Canaanites was full, that of the
Danites was but beginning to fill.
3. How the conquerors settled themselves in their room,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:28,29"><I>v.</I> 28, 29</A>.
They built the city, or much of it, anew (the old buildings having gone
to decay), and <I>called the name of it Dan,</I> to be a witness for
them that, though separated so far off from their brethren, they were
nevertheless Danites by birth, which might hereafter, by reason of
their distance, be called in question. We should feel concerned not to
lose the privilege of our relation to God's Israel, and therefore
should take all occasions to own it and preserve the remembrance of it
to ours after us.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Idolatry immediately set up there. God had graciously performed his
promise, in putting them in possession of that which fell to their lot,
obliging them thereby to be faithful to him who had been so to them.
They <I>inherited the labour of the people, that they might observe his
statues,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+105:44,45">Ps. cv. 44, 45</A>.
But the first thing they do after they are settled is to break his
statues. As soon as they began to settle themselves they <I>set up the
graven image</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
perversely 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, <I>imputing this his power unto his
god,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hab+1:11">Hab. i. 11</A>.
Their Levite, who officiated as priest, is at length <I>named</I>
here--<I>Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh.</I> The
word <I>Manasseh,</I> in the original, has the letter <I>n,</I> set
over the head, which, some of the Jewish rabbin say, is an intimation
that it should be left out, and then <I>Manasseh</I> will be
<I>Moses,</I> and this Levite, they say, was grandson to the famous
Moses, who indeed had a son named Gershom; but, say they, the
historian, in honour of Moses, by a half interposition of that letter,
turned the name into Manasseh. The vulgar Latin reads it <I>Moses.</I>
And if indeed Moses had a grandson that was rakish, and was picked up
as a fit tool to be made use of in the setting up of idolatry, it is
not the only instance (would to God it were!) of the unhappy
degenerating of the posterity of great and good men. Children's
children are not always the crown of old men. But the learned bishop
Patrick takes this to be an idle conceit of the rabbin, and supposes
this Jonathan to be of some other family of the Levites. How long these
corruptions continued we are told in the close.
1. That the posterity of this Jonathan continued to act as priests to
this family of Dan that was seated at Laish, and in the country about,
till the captivity,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+18:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
After Micah's image was removed this family retained the character of
priests, and had respect paid them as such by that city, and it is very
probable that Jeroboam had an eye to them when he set up one of his
calves there (which they could welcome at Can, and put some reputation
upon, when the priests of the Lord would have nothing to do with them),
and that this family officiated as some of his priests.
2. That these images continued till Samuel's time, for so long <I>the
ark of God was at Shiloh;</I> and it is probable that in him time
effectual care was taken to suppress and abolish this idolatry. See how
dangerous it is to admit an infection, for spiritual distempers are not
so soon cured as caught.</P>
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