Judges 18:1

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Judges 18:1 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy. For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

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 their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.

Bible in Basic English BBE

In those days there was no king in Israel, and in those days the Danites were looking for a heritage for themselves, to be their living-place; for up to that time no distribution of land had been made to them among the tribes of Israel.

Free Bible Version FBV

At that time Israel didn't have a king. The tribe of Dan was looking for territory where they could live, because up until then they hadn't gained possession of the land granted to them among the tribes of Israel.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

In those dayes there was no King in Israel, and at the same time the tribe of Dan sought them an inheritance to dwell in: for vnto that time all their inheritance had not fallen vnto them among the tribes of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

In those days there is no king in Israel, and in those days the tribe of the Danite is seeking for itself an inheritance to inhabit, for [that] hath not fallen to it unto that day in the midst of the tribes of Israel by inheritance.

World English Bible WEB

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

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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.

Translation for Translators T4T

At that time the Israelis had no king. Also at that time, the tribe of Dan was still searching for some land where they could live. The other Israeli tribes had been able to ◄capture/take possession of► the land that had been allotted to them, but the tribe of Dan had not been able to do that.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 18:1

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Judges 18:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB בַּ/יָּמִ֣ים הָ/הֵ֔ם אֵ֥ין מֶ֖לֶךְ בְּ/יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּ/בַ/יָּמִ֣ים הָ/הֵ֗ם שֵׁ֣בֶט הַ/דָּנִ֞י מְבַקֶּשׁ ל֤/וֹ נַֽחֲלָה֙ לָ/שֶׁ֔בֶת כִּי֩ לֹֽא נָ֨פְלָה לּ֜/וֹ עַד הַ/יּ֥וֹם הַ/ה֛וּא בְּ/תוֹךְ שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּ/נַחֲלָֽה

בַּ/יָּמִ֣ים yôwm H3117 day Prep | N-mp

הָ/הֵ֔ם hêm H1992 they(masc.) Art | Pron

אֵ֥ין ʼayin H369 nothing Part

מֶ֖לֶךְ melek H4428 King's N-ms

בְּ/יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel Prep | N-proper

וּ/בַ/יָּמִ֣ים yôwm H3117 day Conj | Prep | N-mp

הָ/הֵ֗ם hêm H1992 they(masc.) Art | Pron

שֵׁ֣בֶט shêbeṭ H7626 tribe N-ms

הַ/דָּנִ֞י Dânîy H1839 Danite Art | Ngmsa

מְבַקֶּשׁ bâqash H1245 to seek V-Piel

ל֤/וֹ Prep | Suff

נַֽחֲלָה֙ nachălâh H5159 inheritance N-fs

לָ/שֶׁ֔בֶת yâshab H3427 to dwell Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

כִּי֩ kîy H3588 for Conj

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Part

נָ֨פְלָה nâphal H5307 to fall V-Qal-Perf-3fs

לּ֜/וֹ Prep | Suff

עַד ʻad H5704 till Prep

הַ/יּ֥וֹם yôwm H3117 day Art | N-ms

הַ/ה֛וּא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Art | Pron

בְּ/תוֹךְ tâvek H8432 midst Prep | N-ms

שִׁבְטֵ֥י shêbeṭ H7626 tribe N-mp

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper

בְּ/נַחֲלָֽה nachălâh H5159 inheritance Prep | N-fs

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 18:1

בַּ/יָּמִ֣ים yôwm H3117 "day" Prep | N-mp

The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow

Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.

הָ/הֵ֔ם hêm H1992 "they(masc.)" Art | Pron

This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.

Definition: they, these, the same, who

Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.

אֵ֥ין ʼayin H369 "nothing" Part

This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.

Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.

מֶ֖לֶךְ melek H4428 "King's" N-ms

This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

בְּ/יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" Prep | N-proper

Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.

Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile

Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.

וּ/בַ/יָּמִ֣ים yôwm H3117 "day" Conj | Prep | N-mp

הָ/הֵ֗ם hêm H1992 "they(masc.)" Art | Pron

This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.

Definition: they, these, the same, who

שֵׁ֣בֶט shêbeṭ H7626 "tribe" N-ms

This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.

Definition: : tribe 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe

Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.

הַ/דָּנִ֞י Dânîy H1839 "Danite" Art | Ngmsa

A Danite was a descendant of Dan, a son of Jacob, and the name means judge.

Definition: Danites = "judge" 1) descendants of Dan, son of Jacob 2) inhabitants of the territory of Dan Another name of dan (דָּן "Dan" H1835G)

Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Danites, of Daniel See also: Judges 13:2; Judges 18:11; 1 Chronicles 12:36.

מְבַקֶּשׁ bâqash H1245 "to seek" V-Piel

This Hebrew verb means to seek or search for something. In Psalm 105:4, it's used to encourage seeking God's face. It's also used in 1 Samuel 28:8 where Saul seeks a medium.

Definition: 1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to seek to find 1a2) to seek to secure 1a3) to seek the face 1a4) to desire, demand 1a5) to require, exact 1a6) to ask, request 1b) (Pual) to be sought

Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). See also: Genesis 31:39; Esther 7:7; Psalms 4:3.

ל֤/וֹ "" Prep | Suff

נַֽחֲלָה֙ nachălâh H5159 "inheritance" N-fs

Inheritance refers to something passed down, like property or a family heirloom, as seen in the Bible's discussion of dividing land among tribes in Joshua. It represents a person's share or possession. The concept is crucial in understanding biblical ideas of family and legacy.

Definition: 1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage 1a) property 1b) portion, share 1c) inheritance, portion

Usage: Occurs in 191 OT verses. KJV: heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession. Compare H5158 (נַחַל). See also: Genesis 31:14; Joshua 23:4; Psalms 2:8.

לָ/שֶׁ֔בֶת yâshab H3427 "to dwell" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.

Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)

Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.

כִּי֩ kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

נָ֨פְלָה nâphal H5307 "to fall" V-Qal-Perf-3fs

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.

Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall

Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.

לּ֜/וֹ "" Prep | Suff

עַד ʻad H5704 "till" Prep

This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.

Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.

הַ/יּ֥וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Art | N-ms

הַ/ה֛וּא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Art | Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.

Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)

Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.

בְּ/תוֹךְ tâvek H8432 "midst" Prep | N-ms

This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.

Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)

Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.

שִׁבְטֵ֥י shêbeṭ H7626 "tribe" N-mp

Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper

Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.

בְּ/נַחֲלָֽה nachălâh H5159 "inheritance" Prep | N-fs

Definition: 1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage 1a) property 1b) portion, share 1c) inheritance, portion

Usage: Occurs in 191 OT verses. KJV: heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession. Compare H5158 (נַחַל). See also: Genesis 31:14; Joshua 23:4; Psalms 2:8.

Study Notes — Judges 18:1

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Judges 18:1 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Judges 18:1
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 18:1
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 18:1
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 18:1
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 18:1
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 18:1
Cambridge Bible on Judges 18:1
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 18:1
Sermons on Judges 18:1

Context — The Danites Settle in Laish

1In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy. For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

2So the Danites sent out five men from their clans, men of valor from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and explore it. “Go and explore the land,” they told them. The men entered the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah, where they spent the night. 3And while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Judges 17:6	In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
2	Judges 19:1	Now in those days, when there was no king in Israel, a Levite who lived in the remote hill country of Ephraim took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.
3	Judges 1:34	The Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country and did not allow them to come down into the plain.
4	Joshua 19:40–48	The seventh lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Dan: The territory of their inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, Elon, Timnah, Ekron, Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon, Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, including the territory across from Joppa. (Later, when the territory of the Danites was lost to them, they went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, and put it to the sword. So they took possession of Leshem, settled there, and renamed it after their father Dan.) This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Dan, including these cities and their villages.
5	Judges 21:25	In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Judges 18:1 Summary

This verse tells us that the tribe of Dan was looking for a place to live, but they hadn't been given any land yet. This was a time when Israel didn't have a king, and things were a bit chaotic. The Danites' situation reminds us that God's plan for His people is not always easy to understand, but we can trust that He is sovereign and in control, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11. We can learn from the Danites' example to be patient and faithful, even when things seem uncertain, and to trust that God will guide us and provide for us, as described in Psalm 23:1-4 and Matthew 6:25-34.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Danites not have their own territory in Israel?

According to Judges 18:1, the Danites had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel, which suggests that they had not been allocated their own territory by Joshua, as described in Joshua 13-19. This was likely due to the fact that the Danites were only able to conquer a portion of their allotted territory, and the rest was left to be taken by the Philistines, as mentioned in Judges 1:34.

What does it mean that there was no king in Israel during this time?

The statement in Judges 18:1 that there was no king in Israel indicates that the Israelites were in a period of transition and spiritual decline, as described in Judges 17:6 and Judges 21:25. During this time, the Israelites did not have a centralized government or a king to lead them, but were instead governed by a system of judges, as seen in the book of Judges.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the book of Judges?

Judges 18:1 sets the stage for the events that unfold in the rest of the chapter, as the Danites search for a new territory to occupy. This verse also highlights the themes of spiritual decline and disobedience that are present throughout the book of Judges, as seen in verses such as Judges 2:10-13 and Judges 3:7-8.

What can we learn from the Danites' situation about God's plan for His people?

The Danites' situation in Judges 18:1 teaches us that God's plan for His people is not always immediate or straightforward, but rather often involves waiting and trusting in His sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 27:14 and Isaiah 40:31. We can also learn from the Danites' example that God's people must be faithful and obedient to His commands, even in the face of uncertainty or difficulty, as described in Deuteronomy 28:1-2 and Matthew 22:37-40.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I feel like I am searching for my own 'territory' or sense of purpose, and how can I trust God to guide me?
How do I respond when I feel like I am in a period of transition or uncertainty, and what can I learn from the Danites' experience in this verse?
In what ways can I be more faithful and obedient to God's commands, even when the situation seems uncertain or difficult?
What are some ways that I can apply the themes of spiritual decline and disobedience from the book of Judges to my own life and relationships?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 18:1

In those days there was no king in Israel,.... No supreme magistrate, no judge, for it was before the time of the judges, after the death of Joshua and before Othniel the first judge; this is

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 18:1

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 18:1

JUDGES CHAPTER 18 Those of the tribe of Dan, having not sufficient inheritance, send forth five men to spy out a place; they come to the house of Micah, and desire the Levite to ask counsel of God touching their journey, . He encouraging them, they spy out the city Laish; and at their return instigate their brethren to set upon the city, . Six hundred go forth armed: in their march they seize upon Micah’ s priest and idols; which he in vain, demandeth again, . They pull down Laish; build it again; inhabit it; and call it Dan, ; consecrate their priest, and set up Micah’ s images, ,31. In those days; not long after Joshua’ s death, of which See Poole on "". The tribe of the Danites; a part or branch of that tribe, consisting only of six hundred men of war, , with their families, : or, a family of the Danites; for the word schebet, which properly signifies a tribe, is sometimes taken for a family, as , as elsewhere family is put for a tribe, as . All their inheritance had not fallen unto them; the lot had fallen to them before this time, , &c., but not the actual possession of their lot, because therein the Philistines and Amorites opposed them, not without success. See Poole on ""; See Poole on "".

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 18:1

Judges 18:1 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.Ver. 1. 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.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 18:1

(1) In those days . . .—The repetition of the phrase does not necessarily prove the use of different documents. It may only emphasise the reason for the occurrence of such disorders and irregularities. The tribe.—Shebet sometimes means a whole tribe, and sometimes apparently the division of a tribe (Judges 20:12). The tribe of the Danites.—There seems to be a difference between “tribe of Dan” (Shebet Dan) and “tribesmen of the Danites” (Shebet had-Dani). In Judges 18:11 they are called Mishpecath had-Dani; but the distinctions between Mishpecath (“family”) and Shebet (“tribe”) do not seem to be accurately kept. (See Notes on Judges 18:19 and Judges 20:12.) Sought them an inheritance.—See Judges 1:34; Joshua 19:47-48. Unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them.—Their inheritance is described in Joshua 19:40-46. The inheritance had been assigned to them; but they had not been able to conquer it, owing to the opposition of the Philistines and the Amorates. The English Version interpolates the words “all their” before “inheritance,” apparently to avoid difficulties. But these glosses, however well meant, are almost always a violation of the primary duty of translation, which is to be rigidly faithful to the* original. The failure of the Danites to conquer their allotment, and the low condition to which they dwindled, are the more remarkable because in the wilderness they were the strongest of all the tribes, numbering 62,700, and because they received the smallest assignment of land of all the tribes.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 18:1

CHAPTER XVIII Some Danites, seeking an inheritance, send five men to search the land, who arrive at the house of Micah, 1, 2. They employ the Levite, who served to his house as priest, to ask counsel for them of God, 3-5. He inquires, and promises them success, 6. They depart, and go to Laish, and find the inhabitants secure, 7. They return to their brethren, and encourage them to attempt the conquest of the place, 8-10. They send six hundred men, who, coming to the place where Micah dwelt, enter the house, and carry off the priest and his consecrated things, 11-21. Micah and his friends pursue them; but, being threatened, are obliged to return, 22-26. The Danites come to Laish, and smite it, and build a city there, which they call Dan, 27-29. They make the Levite their priest, and set up the images at this new city, 30, 31. NOTES ON CHAP. XVIII Verse 1. There was no king in Israel] See Judges 17:6. The circumstances related here show that this must have happened about the time of the preceding transactions. The tribe of the Danites] That is, a part of this tribe; some families of it. All their inheritance] That is, they had not got an extent of country sufficient for them. Some families were still unprovided for, or had not sufficient territory; for we find from Joshua 19:40, &c., that, although the tribe of Dan did receive their inheritance with the rest of the tribes of Israel, yet their coasts went out too little for them, and they went and fought against LESHEM, (called here Laish,) and took it, &c. This circumstance is marked here more particularly than in the book of Joshua. See on Joshua 19:47.

Cambridge Bible on Judges 18:1

Judges 18:1. In those days … in Israel] An excuse for the irregularity of Micah’s proceedings as described in the foregoing verses. See Judges 17:6 n. and in those days … to dwell in] At first the Danites tried to settle on the low land between the coast and the hills (Judges 1:34). Then they were forced into the hills (ib.), and we find them, both in this ch. and in the story of Samson, settled at Zorah and Eshtaol, on the W. of Judah. Now comes a migration to the sources of the Jordan in the North, cf. Joshua 19:47 JE. As we have seen, ch. Judges 5:17 implies that Dan was already established in its northern home at the time of Deborah; the present narrative therefore carries us back to the early days. for unto that day … of Israel] On the theory of an allotment of territory among the tribes (Joshua 13-24), a wholly different reason for the migration is suggested by these words; note the technical fallen, i.e. by lot, cf. Numbers 34:2, Joshua 17:5, Ezekiel 47:14 : obviously the comment of a later hand. The awkwardness of the original is disguised by the RV.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 18:1

THE DANITE IN THE NORTH, Judges 18:1-31.1. The Danites sought them an inheritance — The Danites were the last of the tribes to receive their portion of the Promised Land, but, according to Joshua

Sermons on Judges 18:1

	Sermon	Description
	Ten Shekels and a Shirt (Cleaned Up) by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the difference between 20th century preaching and the preaching of John Wesley. Wesley was known for exalting the holiness of God and deliver
	Revelation 2:1 Missionary Conf. by J.M. Davies	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the darkness that exists in the world and the importance of following the Lord. They highlight the cost of following the Lord, but also empha
	The Message of Judges by G. Campbell Morgan	G. Campbell Morgan delivers a powerful sermon on 'The Message of Judges,' emphasizing the deterioration of a nation through religious apostasy, political disorganization, and socia
	(Biblical Manhood) -Morning Brunch by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being a godly example to our children. He shares his desire for his son to see him on his knees, weeping with joy about Jes
	What a Man Is Not by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of immersing oneself in scripture in order to renew the mind and avoid being conformed to the world. He highlights the danger
	Principles of Courtship by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of courtship and marriage according to the principles found in the Bible. He highlights the need for young people to be regene
	Ten Shekels and a Shirt - Part 1 by Paris Reidhead	This sermon delves into the story of Micah in Judges 17, exploring the consequences of mixing worldly practices with worship of God, the dangers of compromising one's faith for per