1 Samuel 13:19-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:15-23

Here, 1. Samuel departs in displeasure. Saul has set up for himself, and now he is left to himself: Samuel gat him from Gilgal (1 Sam. 13:15), and it does not appear that he either prayed with Saul or directed him. Yet in going up to Gibeah of Benjamin, which was Saul's city, he intimated that he had not quite abandoned him, but waited to do him a kindness another time. Or he went to the college of the prophets there, to pray for Saul when he did not think fit to pray with him. 2. Saul goes... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:19

Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel ,.... The Philistines, when they ruled over them, having removed them into their own country, and forbid any to learn or exercise that trade in Israel: for the Philistines said, lest the Hebrews make swords or spears : this they did to prevent their having arms, and the use of them, that they might not rebel against them, and fight with them, and overcome them; it was a piece of policy to keep them subject to them; so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:20

But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines ,.... Were obliged to go into Palestine, into some one or other of the cities of the Philistines, or to their garrisons, where the trade of a smith was exercised: to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter ; which are the parts of the plough made of iron, with which the earth is cut and thrown up: and his axe and his mattock ; or pick axe; with the one wood is felled and cut, and with the other stones are dug; and each of these... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:21

Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes ,.... Those that would not go to the Philistines, or were not able, or thought it too much trouble, these kept files by them to sharpen those several instruments with upon occasion; though the words are by some rendered in connection with the preceding, to this sense, that they went to the Philistines to sharpen them, when the mouths, or edges, of the mattocks, coulters, &c.; were dull; or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:22

So it came to pass in the day of battle ,.... When that drew near, and they were called to it, and obliged to fight or flee, or surrender: that there were neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan : which was not owing to their leaving them behind in the camp, or casting them away from them through fear, as they followed Saul with trembling, but to the cause now mentioned. In what manner some preceding battles were fought with the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 13:19

Now there was no smith found - It is very likely that in the former wars the Philistines carried away all the smiths from Israel, as Porsenna did in the peace which he granted to the Romans, not permitting any iron to be forged except for the purposes of agriculture: " Ne ferro, nisi in agricultura, uterentur ." The Chaldeans did the same to the Jews in the time of Nebuchadnezzar; they carried away all the artificers, 2 Kings 24:14 ; Jeremiah 24:1 ; Jeremiah 29:2 . And in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 13:20

But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines - We find from this that they did not grant them as much as Porsenna did to the Romans; he permitted the people to manufacture the implements of husbandry. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 13:21

Yet they had a file - The Hebrew פצירה petsirah , from פצר patsar , to rub hard, is translated very differently by the versions and by critics. Our translation may be as likely as any: they permitted them the use of files, (I believe the word means grindstone), to restore the blunted edges of their tridents, axes, and goads. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 13:22

In the day of battle - these was neither sword nor spear - But if the Israelites enjoyed such profound peace and undisturbed dominion under Samuel, how is it that they were totally destitute of arms, a state which argues the lowest circumstances of oppression and vassalage? In answer to this we may observe, that the bow and the sling were the principal arms of the Israelites; for these they needed no smith: the most barbarous nations, who have never seen iron, have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:15-23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 13:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 13:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 13:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 13:22

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:17-23

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