1 Samuel 13:18-23

18 another went toward Beth Horon, and the other one went to the border overlooking Zeboim Valley and the wilderness.
19 There were no blacksmiths in Israel because the Philistines were determined to keep the Hebrews from making swords and spears
20 (The Israelites had to go to the Philistines to get their plows, hoes, axes, and sickles sharpened;
21 the charge was one small coin for sharpening axes and for fixing goads, and two coins for sharpening plows or hoes.)
22 And so on the day of battle none of the Israelite soldiers except Saul and his son Jonathan had swords or spears.
23 The Philistines sent a group of soldiers to defend Michmash Pass.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [One ancient translation] sickles; [Hebrew] plows.
  • [b]. [Probable text] the charge . . . fixing goads; [Hebrew unclear.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.