1 Samuel 13:21

For they had instruments for putting an edge on their ploughs and blades and forks and axes, and for putting iron points on their ox-driving rods.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.

In Context

20But all the Israelites had to go to the Philistines to get their ploughs and blades and axes and hooks made sharp;

22So on the day of the fight at Michmash, not a sword or a spear was to be seen in the hands of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan: only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.

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Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 13:16-23

The Israelites' Low Condition. ( b. c. 1067.) 15 And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. 16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. 17 And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual: 18 And… Read the whole commentary →

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Study 1 Samuel 13:21