那时,以色列中没有王。但支派的人仍是寻地居住。因为到那日子,他们还没有在以色列支派中得地为业。
In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.
但人从琐拉和以实陶打发本族中的五个勇士,去仔细窥探那地,吩咐他们说,你们去窥探那地。他们来到以法莲山地,进了米迦的住宅,就在那里住宿。
And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.
他们临近米迦的住宅,听出那少年利未人的口音来,就进去问他说,谁领你到这里来。你在这里作什么。你在这里得什么。
When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?
他们对他说,请你求问神,使我们知道所行的道路通达不通达。
And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.
祭司对他们说,你们可以平平安安地去,你们所行的道路是在耶和华面前的。
And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD is your way wherein ye go.
五人回到琐拉和以实陶,见他们的弟兄。弟兄问他们说,你们有什么话。
And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye?
他们回答说,起来,我们上去攻击他们吧。我们已经窥探那地,见那地甚好。你们为何静坐不动呢。要急速前往得那地为业,不可迟延。
And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.
你们到了那里,必看见安居无虑的民,地也宽阔。神已将那地交在你们手中。那地百物俱全,一无所缺。
When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth.
于是但族中的六百人,各带兵器,从琐拉和以实陶前往,
And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war.
上到犹大的基列耶琳,在基列耶琳后边安营。因此那地方名叫玛哈尼但,直到今日。
And they went up, and pitched in Kirjathjearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahanehdan unto this day: behold, it is behind Kirjathjearim.