Judges 18:1
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)
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The verse highlights a crucial consequence of "no king in Israel": the tribe of Dan felt compelled to seek a new home because they hadn't fully possessed the inheritance God had allotted them. This suggests that without centralized leadership and unity, even divinely given promises could remain unsecured, leading to desperate measures.
At this time, Israel lacked central leadership, and the tribe of Dan was struggling to secure a sufficient land inheritance. This verse introduces their search for a new territory, setting the stage for their subsequent actions, including the theft of Micah's religious idols and priest, which ultimately leads to the establishment of a new center of worship in the north. The phrase "in those days there was no king in Israel" highlights the resulting chaos and individualistic actions, as each person did what seemed right in their own eyes.
The verse opens with a striking statement: 'In those days there was no king in Israel.' What does this simple phrase reveal about the state of the nation and its impact on the tribe of Dan?
This opening line sets the stage for the entire book of Judges. It's not just a historical note; it's a diagnosis.
A Land Without a Leader
"No king" means no central authority, no unified command, and no overarching law enforcement. In ancient Israel, this lack of a king—or even a strong, recognized judge—led to widespread anarchy. As the commentaries note, this period was characterized by 'every man doing that which was right in his own eyes.'
Consequences for Dan
For the tribe of Dan, this absence of national unity had direct consequences. Their allotted inheritance, promised by God and surveyed under Joshua, was not fully secured. The commentaries suggest this was due to a combination of factors: indolence, the inability to conquer the land due to opposition from the Philistines and Amorites, and a lack of support from other tribes.
This vulnerability meant that a significant portion of the tribe of Dan was left without adequate land. Their situation wasn't just a matter of bad luck; it was a symptom of a fractured nation where tribes were left to fend for themselves.
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The Danites were looking for a place to live, a secure inheritance. But their search, born out of necessity, led them down a path of spiritual compromise and conquest.
The Danites' quest for land wasn't just a geographical migration; it became a spiritual one.
Inherited Problems
As the commentaries explain, the lot for Dan's inheritance had fallen, but they couldn't fully possess it. Forces like the Amorites and Philistines blocked their access, leaving them crowded and unsettled. This external pressure pushed them to send scouts for new territory.
A Compromised Journey
Their search leads them directly into the story of Micah and his illicit shrine (covered in chapter 17). The five spies who go out encounter Micah's Levite priest and his idols. They consult this false oracle for guidance on their mission. This act—seeking divine counsel from a man serving idols—is a critical turning point.
Their need for land, however legitimate, doesn't excuse their compromised methods. Instead of relying on God's established ways or seeking righteous solutions, they turn to a corrupt spiritual source, setting the stage for further disaster.
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.
The verse highlights a critical period in Israel's history, just after the initial land distribution, when the lack of strong leadership (no king) and the failure of the Danites to fully possess their allotted territory created instability and contributed to the religious and social chaos described in the book of Judges.
c. 1350-1300 BC
Joshua Assigns Tribal Lands
After the conquest of Canaan, Joshua, following God's instructions, allotted specific territories to each of the twelve tribes, including Dan.
c. 1350-1300 BC— this verse
Danites Fail to Secure Their Inheritance
Despite the land being allotted, the tribe of Dan struggled to fully possess their inheritance due to opposition from the Amorites and possibly the Philistines, forcing some Danites to remain in other areas or seek new lands.
c. 1350-1300 BC
Period of the Judges Begins
Following Joshua's death and the passing of the elders, Israel entered a period marked by a lack of centralized leadership, leading to widespread moral and religious decline.
c. 1350-1300 BC
Micah's Idolatry
During this time of spiritual disarray, Micah created and worshiped idols, even hiring a wandering Levite to serve as his priest, illustrating the religious corruption prevalent in the land.
c. 1350-1300 BC
Danites Migrate North
A contingent of 600 Danites, seeking a suitable place to settle, encountered Micah's idolatrous setup, stole his religious artifacts and priest, and established their own settlement in the north, renaming it Dan.
This passage describes the original tribal allotment for Dan, highlighting that while an inheritance was assigned, they struggled to fully possess it due to opposition from inhabitants, setting the stage for their later migration.
Judges 17:6This verse, which is closely related chronologically and thematically, establishes the chaotic 'no king in Israel' atmosphere where 'everyone did what was right in his own eyes,' directly explaining the context for Dan's actions.
Judges 1:34This verse further explains the difficulty the tribe of Dan faced in possessing their allotted land, specifically mentioning the Amorites preventing them from coming down to the valley, reinforcing the reason for their search for new territory.
Deuteronomy 12:5-11This passage outlines God's command for Israel to worship Him at a central, chosen place, contrasting sharply with the Danites' independent actions and the establishment of their own shrine, illustrating the breakdown of covenant 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 verse highlights a crucial consequence of "no king in Israel": the tribe of Dan felt compelled to seek a new home because they hadn't fully possessed the inheritance God had allotted them. This suggests that without centralized leadership and unity, even divinely given promises could remain unsecured, leading to desperate measures.
At this time, Israel lacked central leadership, and the tribe of Dan was struggling to secure a sufficient land inheritance. This verse introduces their search for a new territory, setting the stage for their subsequent actions, including the theft of Micah's religious idols and priest, which ultimately leads to the establishment of a new center of worship in the north. The phrase "in those days there was no king in Israel" highlights the resulting chaos and individualistic actions, as each person did what seemed right in their own eyes.
At this time, Israel lacked central leadership, and the tribe of Dan was struggling to secure a sufficient land inheritance. This verse introduces their search for a new territory, setting the stage for their subsequent actions, including the theft of Micah's religious idols and priest, which ultimately leads to the establishment of a new center of worship in the north. The phrase "in those days there was no king in Israel" highlights the resulting chaos and individualistic actions, as each person did what seemed right in their own eyes.
"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 verse highlights a crucial consequence of "no king in Israel": the tribe of Dan felt compelled to seek a new home because they hadn't fully possessed the inheritance God had allotted them. This s…
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