1 Samuel 13:16-22

New International Version

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.