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In those days [there was] no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day [all their] inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.

There was no king. — See Judges 17:6 .

All their inheritance had not fallen unto them. — Because the Amorites were too hard for them, and detained it. See Judges 1:34 , with Joshua 19:47 , where this expedition is briefly set down, by anticipation.

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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.

To the house of Micah, they lodged there. — He was a wealthy man, it seems, and gave them entertainment. But what a rich man was Pythias, who could entertain a million of men, even Xerxes’s whole army, for three days together! And yet this great rich man died a beggar, whatever Micah did.

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When they [were] 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 [place]? and what hast thou here?

When they were by the house of Micah, — sc., In or near unto the Levite’s lodging, which was adjoining to the chapel of those idols made by Micah. Judges 18:14

They knew the voice of the young man. — Either out of some former acquaintance with this roving leap-land Levite, or by his tone, as Judges 12:6 Mark 14:70 .

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And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest.

And hath hired me, aud I am his priest. — He should have been ashamed to tell them thus, since it was directly against God’s word that he had done. But sin had added an impudency in his face, …

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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.

Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God. — Videntur non minus leves fuisse quam Levita ille, saith Lavater. These Danites were as wise as this wandering Levite; and hearing of a teraphim, would needs have an oracle.

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And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD [is] your way wherein ye go.

Go in peace: before the Lord is your way. — A doubtful answer; as the wary devil useth to be λοξις , equivocal, in his oracles: Ite bonis avibus. that, which way soever things go, he may save his credit; as 1 Kings 22:12 , "For the Lord shall deliver it into the hands of the king." Yea, but of which king, thou lying spirit? - the king of Israel, or the king of Syria? So, Croesus Halyn penetrans magnam disperdet opum vim. And, Aio te Aeacida Romanos vicere posse, … So here, "Before the Lord is your way," may be interpreted, either, God seeth what you are going about: or, God will see to your safety, and give you good success. Satan vero et si semel videatur verax, millies est mendax, et semper fallax.

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Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that [were] therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and [there was] no magistrate in the land, that might put [them] to shame in [any] thing; and they [were] far from the Zidonians, and had no business with [any] man.

Careless, … quiet and secure. — And so, ripe for ruin. See Jeremiah 49:31 . They lived in all pleasure, plenty, and prosperity, like so many Sodomites or Sybarites; or as those Roman nobles at Caprea, which Augustus was wont to call Aπραγοπολις , the city of Do-noughts; or lastly, as the nobles of Naples at this day, who are said of all men to live the most idle and careless lives; having, like the tyrant Polycrates, nothing to trouble them, but that they are troubled with nothing. Erasm., Apophtheg. Mr Clark’s Mirr., 549.

And there was no magistrate in the land. — Heb., No heir of restraint to repress wickedness, to turn the wheel over the enormous: no officer, but such as they could make and unmake at pleasure.

That might put them to shame in anything. — Shame is instanced, because many stand more upon shame, than upon either sin or smart.

And they were far from the Zidonians. — Who should have been their protectors, but could not save them from a sudden surprise, because far remote.

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And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What [say] ye?

What say ye? — Quid vos? So hasty they were to hear the news, that they utter imperfect speeches.

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