Judges 18:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they said {H559} unto him, Ask counsel {H7592}, we pray thee, of God {H430}, that we may know {H3045} whether our way {H1870} which we go {H1980} shall be prosperous {H6743}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They said to him, "Please ask God whether our journey will be successful."

Berean Standard Bible

Then they said to him, “Please inquire of God to determine whether we will have a successful journey.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 18:5 captures a pivotal moment in the Danite migration, revealing the spiritual disarray of Israel during the period of the Judges. Five Danite spies, seeking new territory for their tribe, encounter a Levite serving as a personal priest to Micah's idolatrous household. Despite the questionable context, they earnestly request the Levite to inquire of God on their behalf, desiring divine assurance that their expedition would be successful. This verse starkly illustrates the syncretistic tendencies and pragmatic motivations prevalent in a time when true worship of Yahweh was often mixed with pagan practices, and individual prosperity was prioritized over covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger narrative (Judges 17-18) that serves as an appendix to the book of Judges, depicting the moral and spiritual decline of Israel. Chapters 17 and 18 are intrinsically linked, introducing Micah's idolatrous shrine and his hiring of a Levite (Jonathan) as a priest, setting the stage for the Danites' encounter. The Danites, seeking an inheritance because they had not fully secured their allotted territory (cf. [Joshua 19:40-48](/joshua/19-40 "Joshua 19:40-48 - Dan's Tribal Allotment")), send out five spies. Their arrival at Micah's house and their recognition of the Levite's voice (from previous travels) immediately precedes this request. The subsequent narrative details the Levite's affirmative response and the Danites' violent conquest of Laish, establishing their new territory with the stolen idols and priest from Micah's house, further highlighting the spiritual depravity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 14th-11th centuries BC) was characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Without a central king or strong religious authority, "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes")). This era saw a significant decline from the covenant obedience established under Moses and Joshua. Syncretism, the blending of Yahwistic worship with Canaanite Baal worship and other pagan practices, was rampant. The presence of a Levite serving a private idolatrous shrine, and the Danites' willingness to consult him, reflects this widespread spiritual confusion and the erosion of true Mosaic faith. The desire for "prosperity" (Hebrew: *tsalach*) was a common ancient concern, often sought through divination or omens, and here it is applied to a military and migratory endeavor.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 18:5 contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it underscores the **spiritual apostasy and syncretism** of the era, where the line between true worship of Yahweh and pagan practices was blurred, even among those ostensibly seeking divine guidance. The Danites desire counsel "of God" but through a Levite engaged in idolatry, illustrating a profound misunderstanding or disregard for proper worship. Secondly, the verse highlights the **absence of central authority and order**, a recurring lament in Judges. In the absence of a king or strong priestly leadership, individuals and tribes acted autonomously, often driven by self-interest rather than covenant fidelity. Finally, it reveals a **pragmatic and self-serving motivation** for seeking divine counsel. The Danites' primary concern is the "prosperity" of their "way," indicating a focus on successful outcomes for their own agenda rather than a desire to align with God's revealed will or to fulfill their covenant obligations in the land. This contrasts sharply with the obedient and faith-filled inquiries of leaders like Joshua ([Joshua 9:14](/joshua/9-14 "Joshua 9:14 - Israel's Failure to Inquire of the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Counsel (Hebrew, _da'at'_):** This word signifies "knowledge," "understanding," or "discernment." When paired with "ask" (*sha'al*), it implies seeking divine insight or a revelation of God's will. In this context, the Danites are not merely asking for information but for a divine pronouncement or oracle that will guide their journey. The irony lies in seeking "knowledge from God" through a corrupted medium, highlighting the spiritual blindness of the age.
* **Prosperous (Hebrew, _tsalach'_):** This verb means "to advance," "succeed," "be profitable," or "to rush forward." It conveys the idea of achieving a favorable outcome or making good progress. The Danites' concern is purely pragmatic: they want assurance that their venture will be successful and yield the desired results—a new, secure territory. This reveals their primary motivation is practical success rather than spiritual obedience or the glory of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God":** The five Danite spies, recognizing the Levite's voice and likely his priestly status, respectfully address him. Their request to "ask counsel of God" indicates a genuine desire for divine guidance, reflecting a lingering belief in Yahweh's sovereignty and ability to reveal His will. However, this request is immediately problematic because the Levite, Jonathan, is serving an idolatrous household (Micah's graven image and household gods, [Judges 17:4-5](/judges/17-4 "Judges 17:4-5 - Micah's Idols")). This demonstrates the pervasive syncretism where people sought God's guidance through illegitimate means, blurring the lines between true worship and pagan divination.
* **"that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous":** The purpose of their inquiry is explicitly stated: to ascertain the success of their journey. Their focus is on the outcome of their expedition—finding a new, secure, and fertile territory—rather than on the righteousness of their actions or whether their plan aligns with God's covenant purposes for Israel. This reveals a pragmatic, self-serving motivation, where divine counsel is sought as a means to achieve personal or tribal success, rather than out of a desire for obedience or to glorify God. It underscores the utilitarian approach to faith common in the Judges period.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Irony** and **Foreshadowing**. The primary irony lies in the Danites' sincere desire to "ask counsel of God" while simultaneously consulting a Levite who is deeply entrenched in idolatry. They seek divine truth through a corrupted conduit, highlighting the spiritual confusion and moral relativism of the age. This ironic situation underscores the tragic state of Israel, where even attempts at piety are fundamentally flawed. The verse also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the tragic outcome of the Danite expedition, which, despite being "prosperous" in a worldly sense (they successfully conquered Laish), is marked by violence, theft (of Micah's idols and priest), and the establishment of a rival idolatrous cult that would persist for generations ([Judges 18:30-31](/judges/18-30 "Judges 18:30-31 - Dan's Idolatry Persists")). Their "prosperous" way ultimately leads to spiritual decay.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 18:5 powerfully illustrates the dangers of spiritual syncretism and the pursuit of self-serving prosperity over genuine obedience to God's revealed will. The Danites' desire for divine guidance, while seemingly commendable, is corrupted by their willingness to consult a Levite involved in idolatry. This reflects a broader theological problem in Judges: the failure to distinguish between the holy and the profane, and the tendency to treat God as a means to an end rather than the sovereign Lord to be worshipped in truth. It underscores the principle that the *means* by which we seek God's will are as crucial as the desire itself. True counsel from God is found in His Word and through His Spirit, not through compromised or unbiblical practices. This passage serves as a stark reminder that outward religious forms or titles (like "Levite") do not guarantee divine approval if they are detached from true covenant faithfulness and pure worship.

* [Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Abominable Practices of Nations")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")
* [Jeremiah 17:9-10](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9-10 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 18:5 offers a profound cautionary tale for believers today. While the desire for divine guidance is a commendable and necessary aspect of the Christian life, this verse challenges us to critically examine the *source* and *motivation* of our spiritual inquiries. Are we seeking God's will through His revealed Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit, or are we, like the Danites, prone to consulting "spiritual" sources that may be compromised or seeking answers primarily for our own pragmatic success? The Danites wanted to know if "their way" would be prosperous, revealing a self-centered approach to divine counsel. Our ultimate goal in seeking God's will should be to align ourselves with His purposes, to glorify Him, and to live in obedience, not merely to secure personal gain or a smooth path. We must guard against spiritual syncretism, ensuring that our faith is pure and unadulterated by worldly influences or practices that contradict God's truth. True prosperity, in God's eyes, is often found in faithfulness and obedience, even when the path is difficult, rather than in worldly success at any cost.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to seek God's guidance primarily for "prosperity" or personal success, rather than for His glory and will?**
* **Am I diligent in ensuring that the sources of spiritual counsel I consult (e.g., teachers, books, ministries) are truly aligned with God's Word and not compromised by worldly or syncretistic elements?**
* **How does my understanding of "success" or "prosperity" align with a biblical worldview, and how might Judges 18:5 challenge that understanding?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a heart that seeks God's counsel out of pure devotion and obedience, rather than pragmatic self-interest?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Danites ask a Levite involved in idolatry for counsel from God? Didn't they know better?**

Answer: The narrative of Judges 17-18, and indeed the entire book of Judges, paints a picture of profound spiritual decline and confusion in Israel. While the Danites likely knew the Levite's tribal affiliation, which traditionally linked him to the worship of Yahweh, the concept of pure, unadulterated worship had largely eroded. The phrase "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes")) perfectly encapsulates this era. They likely saw the Levite as a legitimate religious authority figure, regardless of his specific practices. Their spiritual discernment was so clouded by syncretism—the blending of Yahwistic faith with Canaanite practices—that they saw no inherent contradiction in seeking "counsel of God" through a priest of an idol. This highlights the pervasive spiritual blindness and moral relativism that characterized the period, where the *form* of religion was retained, but its *substance* and purity were lost.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 18:5, with its depiction of a people seeking divine counsel through compromised means for self-serving ends, powerfully anticipates the ultimate and perfect divine counsel found in Jesus Christ. The Danites sought a "prosperous way" for their physical journey, but their spiritual path was deeply flawed. In contrast, Jesus is the very **Word of God made flesh** ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the one through whom God perfectly reveals His will and wisdom. He is not a compromised intermediary but the **Truth** ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")) and the **Way** ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")) to true life and ultimate prosperity in God's kingdom. Unlike the Danites who sought success for *their* way, Christ calls us to take up *His* cross and follow *His* way, which leads to eternal life and true spiritual flourishing ([Matthew 16:24-25](/matthew/16-24 "Matthew 16:24-25 - Take Up Your Cross")). He is the **Good Shepherd** who truly guides His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")) into paths of righteousness, not merely worldly success. Our "prosperity" in Christ is not guaranteed material gain, but spiritual abundance, peace with God, and an inheritance that is imperishable and undefiled ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope")). He is the ultimate High Priest, perfectly pure and holy, through whom we can now boldly draw near to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus the Great High Priest")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 22:5

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

Acts 8:10

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

Isaiah 30:1

¶ Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

Judges 18:14

¶ Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.

Judges 17:13

Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to [my] priest.

2 Kings 16:15

And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire [by].

Ezekiel 21:21

For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made [his] arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.