This chapter starts with the phrase "In those days Israel had no king". This implies that it was a time when they had no real ruler and everyone did as they saw fit. It also indicates that the book was put together during the time when Israel did have kings.
This chapter concerns the Dannites. They had not yet got a proper inheritance and wanted more land. So they took advantage of an unsuspecting and peaceable people. The events in Judges are records of what actually happened, they are not a record of the way things should happen, quite the opposite in fact.
Micah and his priest also come into the picture again. Micah loses his priest and idols, and the priest gladly serves the tribe of Dan. This priest was a priest for sale, a priest for hire, not a man dedicated to the Lord.
The idol that Micah had made was worshipped by the tribe of Dan until the time of captivity. This shows us part of the purpose of this book. It is to demonstrate how Israel had abandoned God, and the state into which they had descended.
This is one of the amazing things about the Bible. It was written by Jewish people, yet is very clear about the sorry state of Israel. This is one of the most compelling arguments for the Bible being inspired by God, being written on His behalf. If it was a man-made book there is no way it would portray Israel in, and many individuals, in such a bad light.
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