¹⁶ And Saul and Jonathan his son and the people that were found with them, had their abiding in Gibeah of Benjamin. But the Philistines had pitched in Michmash. ¹⁷ And there came out of the host of the Philistines three companies, to destroy: 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 the third company turned to the way of the coast that turneth to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

¹⁹ But there was no smith throughout the land of Israel. For the Philistines thought that then the Hebrews might make them swords or spears. ²⁰ And therefore must all Israel go down to the Philistines, to mend every man his share, his mattock, his axe or his sickle: ²¹ as oft as the edges of the sickles, mattocks, dung forks, and axes were blunt, and also to mend their goods. ²² And so in time of battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hands of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: save for Saul and Jonathan his son was there somewhat found.