The text highlights that the Danites' search for an inheritance wasn't just about lacking land, but about the actual possession of it. Despite their lot being assigned in Joshua, ongoing opposition from the Philistines and Amorites meant they hadn't fully secured their allotted territory, forcing this desperate search for a new home.
In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the people of Dan was seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell in, for until then no inheritance among the tribes of Israel had fallen to them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this period of lawlessness, with no central leadership in Israel, the tribe of Dan struggled to secure their allotted territory. They had not yet fully possessed the land assigned to them, leading a portion of the tribe to actively search for a new place to settle and expand. This situation sets the stage for their controversial journey and the events that follow.
Ever feel like things would be so much easier if someone just took charge? The Book of Judges opens with a stark declaration that sets the stage for some wild stories. It's a reminder of what happens when order breaks down.
The opening phrase, 'In those days there was no king in Israel,' isn't just a historical note; it's the reason behind the chaos. Without a central, God-appointed leader (like a king or even a unified judiciary), Israel operated on a 'every man did what was right in his own eyes' mentality. This verse highlights that this lack of overarching leadership directly contributed to the Danites' desperate search for land and their subsequent morally questionable actions. It’s a powerful illustration of how vital good governance, rooted in God’s law, is for a people.
Imagine being promised a home, a piece of land, only to find it's not quite... there. The tribe of Dan faced this exact problem, and their struggle reveals deeper issues within Israel.
The Danites weren't just lazy; they were in a tough spot. While their tribal inheritance was allotted to them by lot, they hadn't fully possessed it. Hostile peoples, like the Amorites and Philistines, occupied parts of their land, pushing them into a smaller territory (Judges 1:34). This verse states plainly, 'for until then no inheritance among the tribes of Israel had fallen to them.' This means their full inheritance, the land God intended for them, hadn't been secured. This situation highlights a few things:
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Understand the original words
nachalah · Hebrew Noun
The portion of land or promise allotted to God's people as a sign of His covenant faithfulness; it points both to the literal land of Canaan and the eternal rest found in God.
This verse highlights a critical period in Israel's history marked by a lack of central leadership, which allowed for widespread spiritual compromise and the tribe of Dan's ultimately disastrous quest for a homeland, leading to the establishment of a major idolatrous center.
c. 1350-1300 BC
Joshua's Death and Conquest Completion
Joshua dies, and the Israelite tribes are settling into their allotted lands, but the full conquest is not complete, especially for the tribe of Dan.
c. 1350-1300 BC— this verse
Danites Struggle for Territory
The tribe of Dan faces significant opposition from Amorites and Philistines, preventing them from fully possessing the territory designated to them.
c. 1350-1300 BC
The Period of the Judges Begins
With no central leadership, Israel enters a period where 'everyone did what was right in his own eyes,' leading to religious and social instability.
c. 1350-1300 BC
Danite Expedition North
Six hundred armed men from the tribe of Dan set out from Zorah and Eshtaol to find a new, unoccupied territory.
c. 1350-1300 BC
Conquest of Laish
The Danites conquer the city of Laish, a peaceful and isolated Phoenician settlement, and rename it Dan.
c. 1350-1300 BC
Establishment of Idolatry in Dan
The Danites set up a sanctuary with Micah's idols and a Levite priest, establishing a center of idolatrous worship that lasts for centuries.
This passage details the original tribal allotment for the Danites, showing that an inheritance had indeed been assigned to them, but they struggled to fully possess it due to opposition, setting the stage for their search in Judges 18.
Judges 1:34This verse describes the Amorites forcing the Danites into the hill country, directly explaining why the tribe was unable to secure their allotted land and had to seek new territory.
Judges 17:6The repeated phrase 'In those days there was no king in Israel' in both Judges 17 and 18 highlights the pervasive social and spiritual anarchy that enabled the Danites' actions and Micah's idolatry.
Philippians 2:21This New Testament verse speaks of people seeking their 'own advantage' rather than Christ's, mirroring the Danites' self-serving quest for an inheritance and their subsequent actions driven by personal need rather than divine guidance.
1 Corinthians 10:11This verse warns that the events of the Old Testament were recorded as examples for believers, suggesting that the Danites' desperate, unauthorized search for settlement serves as a cautionary tale about acting outside of God's will and established order.
bensonJudges 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."
Jdg 18:1 . In those days there was no king in Israel — These words seem to be repeated in order to assign the reason of such enormous practices as are recorded in this and the preceding chapter. They appear to have taken place not long after Joshua’s death, probabl…
clarkeJudges 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."
There was no king in Israel - See Judges 17:6 (note). 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…
The text highlights that the Danites' search for an inheritance wasn't just about lacking land, but about the actual possession of it. Despite their lot being assigned in Joshua, ongoing opposition from the Philistines and Amorites meant they hadn't fully secured their allotted territory, forcing this desperate search for a new home.
In this period of lawlessness, with no central leadership in Israel, the tribe of Dan struggled to secure their allotted territory. They had not yet fully possessed the land assigned to them, leading a portion of the tribe to actively search for a new place to settle and expand. This situation sets the stage for their controversial journey and the events that follow.
In this period of lawlessness, with no central leadership in Israel, the tribe of Dan struggled to secure their allotted territory. They had not yet fully possessed the land assigned to them, leading a portion of the tribe to actively search for a new place to settle and expand. This situation sets the stage for their controversial journey and the events that follow.
"In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the people of Dan was seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell in, for until then no inheritance among the tribes of Israel had fallen to them." — The text highlights that the Danites' search for an inheritance wasn't just about lacking land, but about the actual possession of it. Despite their lot being assigned in Joshua, ongoing opposition…
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Last reviewed October 2026
