seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
1 Samuel 13:16 Saul and his son Jonathan and the men with them were staying in Gibeah in Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Mikmash. 17 Raiding parties went out from the Philistine camp in three detachments. One turned toward Ophrah in the vicinity of Shual, 18 another toward Beth Horon, and the third toward the borderland overlooking the Valley of Zeboyim facing the wilderness.
19 Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!” 20 So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened. 21 The price was two-thirds of a shekel for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.
22 So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.
Here's the link to the commentary I read.There was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel: The Philistines had superior military technology and they wanted to keep it that way. Since they were a seafaring people, the Philistines traded with the technologically sophisticated cultures to the west, especially the Greeks. They imported weapons and know-how from those distant lands.
All the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen each man’s plowshare: By carefully guarding their military technology, the Philistines kept the Israelites in a subservient place.
We might imagine that the Philistine blacksmiths, even though they charged each Israelite a pim for sharpening, would never put too fine an edge on anything. First, this was because these farm tools were the only weapons the Israelites had, so why make them so sharp? Secondly, if you make it really sharp, it will be longer before they come back with another pim to get their ax sharpened.
There was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people... they were found with Saul and Jonathan: There were so few iron weapons available that only the royal family could be properly equipped. The rest of Israel fought with whatever they could.
It was bad enough to be outnumbered so badly. Now, we see God allowed the Philistines to have a huge technological advantage over the Israelites. The only way the Israelites could ever win was to trust in God for everything.
I have read the Book of Samuel before. This time through, though, I am learning so much more. As you know, I'm retired with cancer and a blind eye. I sit around crocheting dolls and critters, and watching a lot of TV. Ever watched "Forged in Fire"? I've watched so many competitions, I feel like I've been given the proper tools... I could make a beautiful Damascus sword so sharp it would cut through anything.
The Israelites didn't have forges.
Sheep didn't need shoes.
Israel traded with the Philistines.
Israel was protected by God.
Now that Israel had a Pretty-Boy king, they didn't have God's protection.
When the Israelites got right with God before entering the Promised Land, they had to circumcise all the men. That left them incapable of fighting for three days. As far as the Philistines knew, the Israelites cut their thingies before every battle. The Philistines didn't know any better. The Israelites did business with the Philistines but they didn't share their secrets with them.
Now we have learned the Israelites didn't own a forge. They couldn't make weapons. They paid to have their work tools sharpened by the Philistines. They couldn't beat a plowshare into a sword if they needed to.
Their king would know what to do... right?
Today, Israel has nuclear power. Today, Israel can set off rockets against their enemies. They have guns, tanks, boats, planes, and nukes!
Back in the days of Saul, well, God would send in a tornado or thunder so loud it would send well-armed troops running.
Israel had no weapons.
No swords, no daggers, and no spears.
Isarel had no weapons.
