They said to him, Hold your peace, lay your hand on your mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?
The Danites’ theft and intimidation were actions contrary to God’s will (Exodus 20:15). Apparently the writer wanted to highlight the theft since he referred to it five times in this chapter (Judges 18:17-18; Judges 18:20; Judges 18:24; Judges 18:27; cf. Judges 17:2; cf. Judges 17:4). The bullying tactics of the soldiers further identify their selfishness (cf. Judges 18:25).