19 Not a blacksmith(A) could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!(B) 20 So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles[a] sharpened. 21 The price was two-thirds of a shekel[b] for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel[c] for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.

22 So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan(C) had a sword or spear(D) in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 13:20 Septuagint; Hebrew plow points
  2. 1 Samuel 13:21 That is, about 1/4 ounce or about 8 grams
  3. 1 Samuel 13:21 That is, about 1/8 ounce or about 4 grams

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