⁵ The Philistines assembled^(A) to fight Israel, with three thousand^[a] chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand^(B) on the seashore. They went up and camped at Mikmash,^(C) east of Beth Aven.^(D)

¹⁷ Raiding^(A) parties went out from the Philistine camp in three detachments. One turned toward Ophrah^(B) in the vicinity of Shual, ¹⁸ another toward Beth Horon,^(C) and the third toward the borderland overlooking the Valley of Zeboyim^(D) facing the wilderness.

¹⁹ Not a blacksmith^(E) could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!^(F)” ²⁰ So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles^[a] sharpened. ²¹ The price was two-thirds of a shekel^[b] for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel^[c] for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.

²² So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan^(G) had a sword or spear^(H) in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.

Jonathan Attacks the Philistines

²³ Now a detachment of Philistines had gone out to the pass^(I) at Mikmash.^(J)