1 Samuel 13:17-23 ▼

17 Raiders went out of the Philistine camp in three companies. One company turned in the direction of Ophrah, to the land of Shual,

18 one company turned in the direction of Beth-horon, while the one company turned toward the border that overlooks the valley of Zeboiim toward the desert.

19 No blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel because the Philistines thought, |This will keep the Hebrews from making swords or spears.|

20 Everyone in Israel would have to go to the Philistines so each person could sharpen his plow, his mattock, his axe, and his sickle.

21 The charge was one pin for plows, mattocks, three pronged forks, and axes, or for setting the goads.

22 On the day of battle, none of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan were armed with swords or spears, but Saul and his son Jonathan did have them.

23 Now a garrison of the Philistines had gone out to the pass of Michmash.