The account of the Danites preparing for battle is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 18. This narrative provides insight into the struggles and actions of the tribe of Dan during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by a lack of centralized leadership in Israel and frequent cycles of apostasy and deliverance.

Historical Context

The tribe of Dan was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Dan, the fifth son of Jacob and the first son of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant. The Danites were originally allotted a portion of land in the southwestern part of Canaan, near the Philistine territory (Joshua 19:40-48). However, they struggled to fully possess this land due to the formidable presence of the Philistines and other Canaanite inhabitants.

The Search for a New Inheritance

Judges 18 begins with the Danites seeking a new territory to inhabit, as they had not yet secured their inheritance. "In those days there was no king in Israel, and in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking an inheritance for themselves to live in, for until that day an inheritance had not been allotted to them among the tribes of Israel" (Judges 18:1). This search for a new homeland reflects the broader theme of Israel's incomplete conquest of Canaan and the resulting tensions and conflicts.

The Spies and the City of Laish

The Danites sent five men from their clan to spy out the land and explore it. These men traveled to the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah, where they encountered a Levite who served as a priest for Micah's household idols (Judges 18:2-3). The spies inquired of the Levite, seeking divine guidance for their journey, and he assured them of success: "Go in peace," the priest replied. "The LORD is watching over your journey" (Judges 18:6).

The spies continued their journey and came to Laish, a city inhabited by a peaceful and unsuspecting people. The city was isolated, with no allies to come to its aid, making it an attractive target for conquest. The spies returned to their fellow Danites and reported the favorable conditions of Laish, encouraging their tribe to take action (Judges 18:7-10).

The Danite Army and the Conquest of Laish

In response to the spies' report, six hundred armed men from the tribe of Dan set out to capture Laish. As they journeyed, they again stopped at Micah's house and seized his idols, ephod, and household gods, along with persuading the Levite priest to join them. The priest's willingness to abandon Micah for a larger congregation underscores the spiritual confusion and idolatry prevalent during this period (Judges 18:11-20).

Upon reaching Laish, the Danites attacked the city with the sword, burning it to the ground. The inhabitants, caught off guard, were unable to mount a defense. The Danites then rebuilt the city and named it Dan, after their ancestor (Judges 18:27-29).

Religious Implications

The narrative of the Danites preparing for battle and their subsequent actions highlight the religious and moral decline during the time of the Judges. The establishment of a new center of worship in Dan, complete with idols and a renegade priest, illustrates the syncretism and idolatry that plagued Israel. "The Danites set up for themselves the carved image, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land" (Judges 18:30).

This account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of straying from the covenantal faithfulness required by God and the consequences of adopting pagan practices. The Danites' actions foreshadow the later idolatrous practices that would lead to Israel's downfall and exile.