サムエル記上 13:19-23 JC

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:17-23

The ramifications of evil. The facts are— 1 . In the absence of Divine interposition, and consequent on Saul's inability to resist advance, the Philistines develop their forces and plunder certain districts of country. 2 . As a matter of policy on their part, and as one result of Saul's transgression, the Philistines deprive the people of the ordinary means of conducting warfare. 3 . This state of things necessitates Saul's protracted inactivity, and inflicts considerable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:19

There was no smith. This accounts for the contemptuous disregard of Saul by the Philistines. The people were disarmed, and resistance impossible. Apparently this policy had been long followed; but we need fuller information of what had happened between Samuel's victory at Mizpah and Saul's appointment as king, to enable us to understand the evident weakness of Israel at this time. But probably this description applies fully only to the districts of Benjamin, near the Philistines, The people... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:20

The Israelites went down to the Philistines. I.e. 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. To sharpen. 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:21

A file. Margin, a file with mouths. The word only occurs here, and is translated a file on the authority of Rashi. Almost all modern commentators agree that it means bluntness, and that this verse should be joined on to the preceding, and the two be translated, "But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his sickle, and his ploughshare, and his axe, and his mattock, whenever the edges of the mattocks, and the ploughshares, and the forks, and the axes were blunt, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:22

There was neither sword, etc. Armed only with clubs and their farming implements, it is no wonder that the people were afraid of fighting the Philistines, who, as we gather from the description of Goliath's armour, were clad in mail; nor is it surprising that they despised and neglected Saul and his few men, whom probably they regarded as an unarmed mob of rustics. The Ammonites probably were far less efficiently armed than the Philistines, who, as commanding the sea coast, could import... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:23

And the garrison, etc. When the Philistines heard that Saul with his six hundred men had joined the small force already at Geba with Jonathan, they sent a body of men to occupy an eminence higher up in the defile which lay between Geba and Michmash (see on 1 Samuel 13:2 ). The purpose of this was to keep the route open, that so, when they pleased, they might send a larger body of troops up the defile in order to attack Saul. It would also keep a watch upon his movements, though they could... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:19

There was no smith - This was the result of the fierce inroads described in the preceding verses, and the method adopted to make the Philistine conquests permanent. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:20-21

The best rendering of the passage is perhaps as follows: “But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen etc. 1 Samuel 13:21, whenever there was bluntness of edge to their shares and coulters and prong-forks and axes, and to point their goads.” Coulters and mattocks were cutting instruments of the type of the share. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:22

This seems to be mentioned here, in anticipation of the narrative in the next chapter, to enhance the victory gained, through God’s help 1 Samuel 14:23, by the comparatively unarmed Israelites over their enemies. What with occasional skirmishes with the Philistines, the necessity of using their arms for domestic purposes, accidental losses, and the ordinary wear and tear, coupled with the impossibility of renewing their arms from the want of smiths and forges, the people that were with Saul and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:23

The passage of Michmash - The steep and precipitous path from Michmash to Geba, over the valley of Suweinit. The same term is used in Isaiah 10:28-29, where the march of the Assyrian army is described. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:17-23

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:19

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:20

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:21

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:22

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:23

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:19

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:20-21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:22

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:23

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