17. The Philistine soldiers went out on raids from their camp in three groups: one group went towards Ophrah in the territory of Shual,
18. another went towards Beth Horon, and the other one went to the border overlooking the Valley of Zeboim 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 ploughs, hoes, axes, and sickles sharpened;
21. the charge was one small coin for sharpening axes and for repairing ox goads, and two coins for sharpening ploughs 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 the pass of Michmash.