Israel Without Weapons

16 Saul and his son Jonathan and the men with them were staying in Gibeah[a](A) in Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Mikmash. 17 Raiding(B) parties went out from the Philistine camp in three detachments. One turned toward Ophrah(C) in the vicinity of Shual, 18 another toward Beth Horon,(D) and the third toward the borderland overlooking the Valley of Zeboyim(E) facing the wilderness.

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

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

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 13:16 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts Geba, a variant of Gibeah
  2. 1 Samuel 13:20 Septuagint; Hebrew plow points
  3. 1 Samuel 13:21 That is, about 1/4 ounce or about 8 grams
  4. 1 Samuel 13:21 That is, about 1/8 ounce or about 4 grams

16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

17 And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:

18 And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:

20 But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.

21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.

22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.

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