שופטים, פרק י״ח, פסוק ט׳

The scouting mission is complete, and the spies return to their tribe with a pressing message. They urge their people to launch an immediate attack on the inhabitants of the city of Laish [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Speaking with strong encouragement [רד"ק], the spies make it clear that there is no need to send additional scouts. They have seen the territory with their own eyes, and it is exceptionally good, meaning the tribe must act right away [מלבי"ם].

As they address the crowd, the spies point out the people's silence [מצודת ציון], a detail that is understood in two distinct ways. The primary approach among commentators views this as a rebuke for the tribe's lack of initiative. The people are criticized for avoiding the task [ביאור שטיינזלץ], acting lazy [רש"י], and standing by quietly instead of taking control of the situation with speed and enthusiasm [רד"ק]. Conversely, another perspective understands this focus on silence as a calculated tactical command. The spies are instructing the people to maintain strict secrecy, fearing that if word of this excellent land spreads, men from another tribe might conquer the territory first [מצודת דוד].

To drive their point home, the spies demand that the people not delay or drag their feet [רד"ק]. According to the approach that emphasizes secrecy, this urgency stems from the fear that even if they keep quiet, the secret of the land might still leak out to others [מצודת דוד]. Finally, to calm any fears of a heavy and difficult military campaign, the spies assure the tribe that they will not even need to fight. They simply have to march in and easily take possession of the area [מלבי"ם].