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class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/13.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So whenever the Israelites needed to sharpen their plowshares, picks, axes, or sickles, they had to take them to a Philistine blacksmith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Instead, all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen each man’s plowshare, his mattock, his ax, and his sickle;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So all Israel went down to the Philistines, each to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, and his hoe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So all Israel went down to the Philistines, each to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, and his hoe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So all Israel went down to the Philistines, each to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, and his hoe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So all Israel went down to the Philistines, each to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, and his goad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So all [the men of] Israel went down to the Philistines, each to get his plowshare, pick, axe, or sickle sharpened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So all the Israelites went to the Philistines to sharpen their plows, mattocks, axes, and sickles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So all the Israelites went to the Philistines to sharpen their plows, mattocks, axes, and sickles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Everyone in Israel had to go to the Philistines to sharpen the blade of his plow, his mattock, ax, or sickle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Israelites had to go to the Philistines to get their plows, hoes, axes, and sickles sharpened; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Everyone in Israel would have to go to the Philistines so each person could sharpen his plow, his mattock, his axe, and his sickle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Instead, all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So all Israel had to go down to the Philistines in order to get their plowshares, cutting instruments, axes, and sickles sharpened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But all Israel would go down to the Philistines, each to sharpen his plowshare, mattock, axe, and sickle;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his colter, and his ax, and his mattock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, each man to sharpen his own plowshare, mattock, ax, and sickle. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and all Israel goes down to the Philistines, to each sharpen his plowshare, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and all Israel go down to the Philistines, to sharpen each his ploughshare, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And all Israel went down to the rovers, to hammer each his plough-shares, and his coulter, and his axe, and his plough-shares.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So all Israel went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his ploughshare, and his spade, and his axe, and his rake. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, all of Israel descended to the Philistines, so that each man could sharpen his plowshare, or pick axe, or hatchet, or hoe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />All Israel, therefore, had to go down to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />so all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, or sickles;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen every man his sickle and his ploughshare and his axe and his mattock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And all Israel went down to the Philistines to sharpen, each man his sickle and his spike, and his ax and his goads<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his plowshare, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And all Israel went down to the Land of the Philistines to forge every one his reaping-hook and his tool, and every one his axe and his sickle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/13-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=3340" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/13.htm">Israel Without Weapons</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>And no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “The Hebrews must not be allowed to make swords or spears.” <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḵāl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">Instead, all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: way·yê·rə·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">would go down</a> <a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: hap·pə·liš·tîm (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">to the Philistines</a> <a href="/hebrew/3913.htm" title="3913: lil·ṭō·wōš (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To hammer, sharpen, whet. A primitive root; properly, to hammer out, i.e. To sharpen.">to sharpen</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4281.htm" title="4281: ma·ḥă·raš·tōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A plowshare. From charash; probably a pick-axe.">their plowshares,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/855.htm" title="855: ’ê·ṯōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A hoe, other digging implement. Of uncertain derivation; a hoe or other digging implement.">mattocks,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7134.htm" title="7134: qar·dum·mōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- An axe. Perhaps from qadam in the sense of striking upon; an axe.">axes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’êṯ (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4281.htm" title="4281: ma·ḥă·rê·šā·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A plowshare. From charash; probably a pick-axe.">and sickles.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>The charge was a pim for sharpening a plowshare or mattock, a third of a shekel for sharpening a pitchfork or an axe, and a third of a shekel for repointing an oxgoad.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/5-8.htm">Judges 5:8</a></span><br />When they chose new gods, then war came to their gates. Not a shield or spear was found among forty thousand in Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/24-14.htm">2 Kings 24:14</a></span><br />He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm">Isaiah 2:4</a></span><br />Then He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/3-10.htm">Joel 3:10</a></span><br />Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/24-1.htm">Jeremiah 24:1</a></span><br />After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, as well as the officials of Judah and the craftsmen and metalsmiths from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/39-9.htm">Ezekiel 39:9-10</a></span><br />Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out, kindle fires, and burn up the weapons—the bucklers and shields, the bows and arrows, the clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel. / They will not gather wood from the countryside or cut it from the forests, for they will use the weapons for fuel. They will loot those who looted them and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/4-17.htm">Nehemiah 4:17-18</a></span><br />who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. / And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/14-8.htm">2 Chronicles 14:8</a></span><br />Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin bearing small shields and drawing the bow. All these were mighty men of valor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-5.htm">2 Chronicles 32:5</a></span><br />Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise up towers on it. He also built an outer wall and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David, and he produced an abundance of weapons and shields.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/144-1.htm">Psalm 144:1</a></span><br />Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-52.htm">Matthew 26:52</a></span><br />“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-36.htm">Luke 22:36</a></span><br />“Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-11.htm">John 18:11</a></span><br />“Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Romans 13:4</a></span><br />For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/10-4.htm">2 Corinthians 10:4</a></span><br />The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his ax, and his mattock.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/9-48.htm">Ax</a> <a href="/judges/9-48.htm">Axe</a> <a href="/ezekiel/26-9.htm">Axes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-6.htm">Blades</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-25.htm">Hoe</a> <a href="/numbers/4-14.htm">Hooks</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-19.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-2.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-25.htm">Mattock</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-6.htm">Mattocks</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-19.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-10.htm">Ploughs</a> <a href="/micah/4-3.htm">Plowshares</a> <a href="/judges/8-24.htm">Share</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-41.htm">Sharpen</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-41.htm">Sharpened</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-25.htm">Sickle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-21.htm">Sickles</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/6-7.htm">Ax</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-7.htm">Axe</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-21.htm">Axes</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-21.htm">Blades</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-25.htm">Hoe</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-11.htm">Hooks</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-12.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-18.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-25.htm">Mattock</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-21.htm">Mattocks</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-23.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-21.htm">Ploughs</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-21.htm">Plowshares</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-24.htm">Share</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-21.htm">Sharpen</a> <a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Sharpened</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-16.htm">Sickle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-21.htm">Sickles</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-1.htm">Saul's select band</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-3.htm">He calls the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-5.htm">The Philistines' great army</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-6.htm">The distress of the Israelites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-8.htm">Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, sacrifices</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-11.htm">Samuel reproves him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-17.htm">The three raiding parties of the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-19.htm">The policy of the Philistines, to allow no blacksmith in Israel</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Instead, all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines</b><br>This phrase highlights the subjugation of the Israelites under Philistine control during this period. The Philistines had a technological advantage, particularly in metallurgy, which they used to dominate the Israelites. This situation reflects the broader theme of Israel's struggle with surrounding nations due to their disobedience to God. The Israelites' dependence on the Philistines for sharpening tools underscores their lack of self-sufficiency and the consequences of not fully driving out the inhabitants of the Promised Land as commanded in earlier scriptures (<a href="/judges/1-28.htm">Judges 1:28-36</a>).<p><b>to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles.</b><br>The mention of these specific tools indicates the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites and their need for functional implements to sustain their livelihood. The plowshare, mattock, axe, and sickle were essential for farming and maintaining their land. The necessity to rely on the Philistines for sharpening these tools not only signifies economic and technological dependence but also a spiritual metaphor for the dullness of Israel's faith and obedience. This dependence can be contrasted with the prophetic vision in <a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm">Isaiah 2:4</a>, where nations will beat their swords into plowshares, symbolizing peace and divine provision. The tools themselves can be seen as types of spiritual readiness, where believers are called to be sharp and prepared for the work of God, much like the tools needed to be effective for agricultural purposes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Israel, God's chosen nation, who were under the leadership of King Saul during this time.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>A neighboring people and frequent adversaries of Israel, who had technological superiority in ironworking.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_saul.htm">King Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, who was leading the Israelites during this period of conflict with the Philistines.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/ironworking.htm">Ironworking</a></b><br>The Philistines had a monopoly on ironworking, which was crucial for making and maintaining tools and weapons.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/geba_and_michmash.htm">Geba and Michmash</a></b><br>Locations mentioned earlier in the chapter where the Philistines had established military outposts.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>The Israelites' need to go to the Philistines to sharpen their tools underscores their vulnerability and dependence on God for protection and provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_readiness.htm">Spiritual Readiness</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites needed sharp tools for their work, Christians need to be spiritually equipped and ready for the challenges they face.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/worldly_influence.htm">Worldly Influence</a></b><br>The Israelites' reliance on the Philistines for sharpening tools can be seen as a metaphor for the church's temptation to rely on worldly systems rather than God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/resourcefulness_in_adversity.htm">Resourcefulness in Adversity</a></b><br>Despite the Philistines' control over ironworking, the Israelites found ways to continue their work, teaching us to be resourceful and resilient in difficult circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The situation highlights the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, even when facing seemingly insurmountable odds.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_objection_to_david's_philistine_ties.htm">Why is there no mention of the Israelites objecting to David's alliance with Philistines in 1 Samuel 29, given David's notable status and background?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_saul_sacrifice_early.htm">Why did Saul sacrifice without waiting for Samuel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_30,000_chariots_in_1_sam_13_5_plausible.htm">Is the figure of thirty thousand chariots in 1 Samuel 13:5 historically plausible for the Philistines at that time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/contradictions_in_1_samuel_4_on_eli's_sons.htm">Are there any contradictions between 1 Samuel 4 and other biblical accounts regarding the fate of Eli's sons or the Ark's movements?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">To sharpen every man his share, and his coulter.</span>--Porsenna, we read, in the time of the wars of the Republic, allowed the Romans iron implements for agriculture only. <span class= "ital">Coulter.--</span>In <a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm" title="And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.">Isaiah 2:4</a>, <a href="/joel/3-10.htm" title="Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.">Joel 3:10</a>, this word is rendered "ploughshares "; so most of the older versions. We cannot now with any precision distinguish between these two implements of tillage.<p><span class= "bld">And his mattock.</span>--Jerome renders the Hebrew word here by "hoe" (sarculum). It was probably a kind of heavy hoe, used for turning up the ground.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The Israelites went down to the Philistines.</span> <span class="accented">I.e.</span> to their land. This could only have applied to the districts near the Philistines, unless we suppose that they set up forges also at their garrisons. <span class="cmt_word">To sharpen.</span> The verb chiefly refers to such work as required an anvil and hammer. As regards the implements, not only do the versions disagree in their renderings, but the Septuagint has a very curious different reading, to the effect that at harvest time the Israelites had to pay the Philistines three shekels for repairing and whetting their tools. The <span class="cmt_word">share</span> is more probably a <span class="accented">sickle.</span> The <span class="cmt_word">coulter</span> is certainly a <span class="accented">ploughshare</span>, as rendered in <a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm">Isaiah 2:4</a>; <a href="/joel/3-10.htm">Joel 3:10</a>. Of the <span class="cmt_word">ax</span> there is no doubt; and the <span class="cmt_word">mattock</span> is a heavy hoe for turning up the ground, as spades for that purpose are scarcely anywhere used, except in our own country. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/13-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Instead, all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָל־</span> <span class="translit">(ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">would go down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּרְד֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·rə·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the Philistines</span><br /><span class="heb">הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(hap·pə·liš·tîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> </span><span class="str2">Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to sharpen</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֠לְטוֹשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(lil·ṭō·wōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3913.htm">Strong's 3913: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hammer out, to sharpen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their plowshares,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחֲרַשְׁתּ֤וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ma·ḥă·raš·tōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4282.htm">Strong's 4282: </a> </span><span class="str2">Share </span><br /><br /><span class="word">mattocks,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵתוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_855.htm">Strong's 855: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hoe, other digging implement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">axes,</span><br /><span class="heb">קַרְדֻּמּ֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(qar·dum·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7134.htm">Strong's 7134: </a> </span><span class="str2">An axe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and sickles.</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחֲרֵשָׁתֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ma·ḥă·rê·šā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4281.htm">Strong's 4281: </a> </span><span class="str2">A plowshare</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/13-20.htm">1 Samuel 13:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/13-20.htm">1 Samuel 13:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/13-20.htm">1 Samuel 13:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/13-20.htm">1 Samuel 13:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/13-20.htm">1 Samuel 13:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/13-20.htm">1 Samuel 13:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/13-20.htm">1 Samuel 13:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/13-20.htm">1 Samuel 13:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/13-20.htm">1 Samuel 13:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/13-20.htm">1 Samuel 13:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/13-20.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 13:20 But all the Israelites went down (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/13-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 13:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 13:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/13-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 13:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 13:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>