he kindred
thereof: and he was a Levite, and dwelt there.

17:8. Now he went out from the city of Bethlehem, and desired to sojourn
wheresoever he should find it convenient for him. And when he was come
to mount Ephraim, as he was on his journey, and had turned aside a
little into the house of Michas,

17:9. He was asked by him whence he came. And he answered: I am a Levite
of Bethlehem Juda, and I am going to dwell where I can, and where I
shall find a place to my advantage.

17:10. And Michas said: Stay with me, and be unto me a father and a
priest, and I will give thee every year ten pieces of silver, and a
double suit of apparel, and thy victuals.

17:11. He was content, and abode with the man, and was unto him as one
of his sons.

17:12. And Michas filled his hand, and had the young man with him for
his priest, saying:

17:13. Now I know God will do me good, since I have a priest of the race
of the Levites.

Judges Chapter 18

The expedition of the men of Dan against Lais: in their way they rob
Michas of his priest and his gods.

18:1. In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of Dan
sought them an inheritance to dwell in: for unto that day they had not
received their lot among the other tribes.

Not received, etc... They had their portions assigned them, Jos. 19.40.
But, through their own sloth, possessed as yet but a small part of it.
See Judges 1.34.

18:2. So the children of Dan sent five most valiant men, of their stock
and family, from Saraa and Esthaol, to spy out the land, and to view it
diligently: and they said to them: Go, and view the land. They went on
their way, and when they came to mount Ephraim, they went into the house
of Michas, and rested there:

18:3. And knowing the voice of the young man the Levite, and lodging
with him, they said to him: Who brought thee hither? what dost thou
here? why wouldst thou come hither?

18:4. He answered them: Michas hath done such and such things for me,
and hath hired me to be his priest.

18:5. Then they desired him to consult the Lord, that they might know
whether their journey should be prosperous, and the thing should have
effect.

18:6. He answered them: Go in peace: the Lord looketh on your way, and
the journey that you go.

18:7. So the five men going on came to Lais: and they saw how the people
dwelt therein without any fear, according to the custom of the
Sidonians, secure and easy, having no man at all to oppose