1. Micah's idol and shrine (1-6)

This story interestingly begins with Micah of Ephraim stealing a large amount of silver from his mother, who then put a curse on the silver, and thus, he decides to return the silver rather than to risk the curse. His mother, in turn, blesses him and gives the silver to a silversmith to cast an idol which they put in Micah's home. He adds a shrine, an ephod, and a priesthood -- and starts his own religion. Without God, people succumb to greed, superstition, and idol worship. Without knowing the Bible or having a spiritual leader, everyone did as they saw fit (6). It was spiritual chaos.

2. Micah's priest (7-13)

When a Levite passed through Ephraim looking for a room, Micah invited him to live with him and hired him as his priest. This implies that Micah was not satisfied with his idolatry and false religion. He was looking for a shepherd to lead him to the true way of being blessed by the Lord (13).