What does Judges 18:10 mean?
Five Danite "spies," meaning scouts, were sent in search of fresh territory for their people to live (Judges 18:1). They are now making their report. They are utterly convinced that the Danites can defeat the Sidonians living in the northern town of Laish (Judges 18:8–9). In a strange way, this conversation echoes Israel's experiences when first coming to the Promised Land. Then, spies returned with doubt despite the land being guaranteed by God (Numbers 13:32). Here, the spies are enthusiastic about land to which this tribe has no right (Numbers 3:5–10).After scolding the people of Dan for hesitating to get going right away, the scouts emphasize the benefits of the move. Of special interest is the fact that the people of Laish are peaceful, unaware of danger, and unprepared for war (Judges 18:7). In short, the scouts from Dan realize these people are not ready to defend themselves. The reason Dan is struggling for territory is their own failure to complete the conquest of their allotted land (Judges 1:34–36). Conquering inhabitants of Laish seems easier than continuing to struggle against the Amorites.
Further, the area is described as spacious: plenty of room for everyone and all the natural resources they could ever need. The scouts insist God has already given that land for their tribe. This probably means to recall the vaguely positive "oracle" given to them by Micah's Levite priest in Ephraim (Judges 18:6). Since that priest was not authentic, the people of Dan are leaving territory given them by the Lord, and seeking land given to the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 17), there's no reason to believe God blessed their mission. And yet, at least some of the people of Dan will agree to fight for the land up north and move there.