1 Samuel 13:15-23

New International Version

¹⁵ Then Samuel left Gilgal^[a] and went up to Gibeah^(A) in Benjamin, and Saul counted the men who were with him. They numbered about six hundred.^(B)

Israel Without Weapons

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

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

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

Jonathan Attacks the Philistines

²³ Now a detachment of Philistines had gone out to the pass^(L) at Mikmash.^(M)