The answer is: Made it into an idol

Judges 17:4

In Judges 17, we encounter the curious story of Micah and his silver idol, which opens a Pandora's box of issues related to faith and worship in ancient Israel. Micah, a man of little prominence, had his heart set on creating a shrine, boldly channeling his resources into making a god of his own. Yahweh's commandments were clear about idolatry, yet Micah represents a trend seen in Israel during the time of the judges, where personal choice in worship reigns supreme—a reflection of the chaos and moral ambiguity prevalent during that tumultuous era.

What’s interesting here is that the silversmith is not just an occupational figure but represents the broader theme of agency in Israel's spiritual landscape. Micah employs him to fashion an idol—a direct opposition to the notion of worship that emphasizes the invisible God of Israel. Biblical trivia highlights that this penchant for idol-making wasn't merely a matter of rebelliousness, but a symptom of cultural assimilation, as many Israelites ended up blending the worship of Yahweh with local deities.

This chapter echoes sentiments found in texts like Exodus 32, where Aaron fashioned a golden calf, showcasing how God's people often strayed, desperate for tangible symbols in their relationship with the divine. Judges doesn't shy away from these realities; instead, it offers a profound insight into human nature and the complexities of faith, reminding us that serious caution must be exercised when pushing our desires into the domain of the sacred.