Judges 17 :: New International Version (NIV)

Micah’s Idols

Jdg 17:1Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim

Jdg 17:2said to his mother, “The eleven hundred shekels[fn] of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse—I have that silver with me; I took it.” Then his mother said, “The LORD bless you, my son!”

Jdg 17:3

Jdg 17:3When he returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, “I solemnly consecrate my silver to the LORD for my son to make an image overlaid with silver. I will give it back to you.”

Jdg 17:4

Jdg 17:4So after he returned the silver to his mother, she took two hundred shekels[fn] of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who used them to make the idol. And it was put in Micah’s house.

Jdg 17:5

Jdg 17:5Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household gods and installed one of his sons as his priest.

Jdg 17:6

Jdg 17:6In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

Jdg 17:7

Jdg 17:7A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who had been living within the clan of Judah,

Jdg 17:8

Jdg 17:8left that town in search of some other place to stay. On his way[fn] he came to Micah’s house in the hill country of Ephraim.

Jdg 17:9

Jdg 17:9Micah asked him, “Where are you from?” “I’m a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah,” he said, “and I’m looking for a place to stay.”

Jdg 17:10

Jdg 17:10Then Micah said to him, “Live with me and be my father and priest, and I’ll give you ten shekels[fn] of silver a year, your clothes and your food.”

Jdg 17:11

Jdg 17:11So the Levite agreed to live with him, and the young man became like one of his sons to him.

Jdg 17:12

Jdg 17:12Then Micah installed the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house.

Jdg 17:13

Jdg 17:13And Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest.”