The account of the Five Spies is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 18. This narrative is part of the larger account of the migration of the tribe of Dan and their quest for a new territory to inhabit. The account of the Five Spies provides insight into the period of the Judges, a time characterized by a lack of centralized leadership in Israel and a cycle of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance.

Context and Background

The tribe of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, was originally allotted territory in the central coastal region of Canaan. However, they struggled to fully possess their inheritance due to the presence of the Amorites and other Canaanite peoples. As a result, the Danites sought additional land to settle.

The Mission of the Five Spies

In Judges 18:1-2, the Danites send five men from their clans, described as "valiant men" from Zorah and Eshtaol, to explore the land and find a suitable place for the tribe to settle. The text states: "So the Danites sent five valiant men from their clan, from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and explore it. They told them, 'Go, explore the land.'"

These spies journeyed northward and came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, where they lodged. Micah had established a shrine with an ephod, household gods, and had consecrated one of his sons as a priest, later replaced by a Levite. The presence of these religious artifacts and the Levite priest would play a significant role in the events that followed.

Encounter with the Levite

While at Micah's house, the spies recognized the voice of the young Levite and inquired about his presence there. Judges 18:3-4 records this interaction: "When they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite, so they turned in there and asked him, 'Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?' He told them what Micah had done for him, saying, 'He has hired me, and I am his priest.'"

The spies then asked the Levite to inquire of God whether their journey would be successful. The Levite responded affirmatively, saying, "Go in peace. The journey you are taking is under the eye of the LORD" (Judges 18:6).

The Discovery of Laish

Continuing their journey, the five spies arrived at Laish, a city inhabited by a people living in security and peace, isolated from the Sidonians and without any allies. The spies observed that the land was prosperous and the people unsuspecting, making it an ideal target for conquest. Judges 18:7 describes their findings: "The five men departed and came to Laish, where they saw that the people were living in safety, like the Sidonians, at peace and secure. There was no ruler humiliating them in anything, and they were far from the Sidonians and had no alliance with anyone."

Report and Subsequent Actions

Upon returning to their brethren in Zorah and Eshtaol, the spies reported their findings, encouraging the Danites to take action. They described the land as "very good" and urged their fellow tribesmen not to hesitate in taking possession of it (Judges 18:9-10).

The Danites, numbering six hundred men armed for battle, set out to conquer Laish. On their way, they returned to Micah's house, where they seized the ephod, household gods, and the carved image, persuading the Levite to join them as their priest. This act of taking the religious artifacts and the Levite highlights the syncretism and religious confusion prevalent during the time of the Judges.

Conquest of Laish

The Danites proceeded to Laish, attacked the city, and burned it to the ground. They rebuilt the city and named it Dan, after their ancestor. Judges 18:27-29 recounts this conquest: "After they had taken what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, they went to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting. They struck them with the sword and burned down the city. There was no one to save them because they lived far from Sidon and had no alliance with anyone. The city was in a valley near Beth-rehob. The Danites rebuilt the city and lived there. They named it Dan, after their forefather Dan, who was born to Israel—though the city was formerly named Laish."

The account of the Five Spies and the subsequent conquest of Laish illustrates the challenges faced by the tribes of Israel during the period of the Judges, as well as the moral and spiritual decline that characterized this era.