Judges 18:15

And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and saluted him.

Judges 18:15 (KJV)

Context

The book of Judges describes a time in Israel’s history when God raised up judges to deliver the people from their oppressors. This verse belongs to the larger narrative in Judges 17-18, which recounts the account of Micah’s idols and the migration of the tribe of Dan.

In Judges 17, Micah, a man from the tribe of Ephraim, made idols and set up a shrine for himself. He appointed one of his sons to be a priest, even though the Levitical priesthood was reserved for the tribe of Levi. Later, a young Levite from Bethlehem came to Micah’s house and was hired to serve as his priest (Judges 17:7-13). In Judges 18, the tribe of Dan, still seeking a territory of their own, sent out five men to scout the land.

Meaning

In Judges 18:15, the five Danite spies turned aside from their path and went to the house of the young Levite, which was an apartment or part of Micah’s house, and saluted him. The Hebrew expression indicates a peaceable inquiry after his welfare, asking him of his health and well-being. The house lay a little out of their way, so they deliberately turned aside to reach it.

The young man’s quarters were likely near where Micah kept the images and the ephod, because the sacred objects were under the Levite’s care. The spies therefore made their way to his apartment rather than to Micah’s main dwelling. Their greeting was a customary act of respect and courtesy when visiting someone’s home, and it also shows that they were interested in seeking guidance or assistance from the Levite, possibly to inquire about their mission or to seek divine direction.

Biblical connections

This verse serves as a transition point in the narrative. The men from the tribe of Dan later discovered the land of Laish, which they deemed favourable for settlement. They returned to their tribe and convinced them to wage war against Laish, ultimately capturing the city and renaming it Dan (Judges 18:27-29). The migration of the tribe of Dan and their adoption of Micah’s idols were later regarded as a sinful act, as they departed from God’s commandments.

Application

While this verse may seem relatively insignificant, it reveals a broader picture of the spiritual decline and moral ambiguity prevalent during the period of the judges. It highlights how people strayed from God’s instructions, such as the tribe of Dan seeking land outside of their allotted inheritance, or the Levite serving as a priest outside of the prescribed tabernacle. The account illustrates the spiritual confusion of the time, when there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Reflection

Judges 18:15 reminds us that even small acts, like a greeting, can be part of a larger story of obedience or disobedience. The Danites’ courtesy toward the Levite was not matched by a commitment to God’s law. Their later actions show that outward respect is not the same as inward faithfulness. This verse encourages us to examine not only our words and gestures, but also the direction of our hearts and the choices we make.