Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:

1 SAMUEL 13:19KJV
Know the Bible

1 Samuel 13:19 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 13:19 mean?

1 Samuel 13:19 explains that there were no blacksmiths anywhere in Israel, because the Philistines had prevented the Israelites from having them, fearing the Hebrews would make weapons like swords or spears. This verse highlights how the Philistines controlled Israel by limiting their ability to produce metal weapons.

At this point in the story, Israel is under Philistine oppression, and the lack of smiths (metalworkers) is a deliberate strategy by the Philistines to keep the Israelites weak and unable to defend themselves. The verse is not a speech but a historical note, setting up the context for the coming battle and showing how vulnerable Israel was without proper arms.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 13:19

  • smith (חָרָשׁ, ḥārāsh): This word means a craftsman or metalworker. The absence of any ḥārāsh in Israel meant the people had no way to make or repair weapons or tools, which was a serious disadvantage in a time of conflict.
  • make (עָשָׂה, ʿāsāh): This verb means "to make" or "to do." The Philistines' concern was specifically that the Hebrews would ʿāsāh swords or spears, showing the focus was on preventing weapon production, not just general metalwork.
  • swords (חֶרֶב, ḥerev) and spears (חֲנִית, ḥănit): These words refer to the main weapons of war. The verse singles them out, underlining that the Philistines wanted to keep Israel from having any means to fight back.

Why 1 Samuel 13:19 matters

  • This verse clears up why Israel was so poorly armed in the battles that follow, explaining their military weakness was not just from lack of skill or courage, but from deliberate enemy control.
  • It shows the depth of Philistine dominance over Israel, going beyond military might to economic and technological suppression.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic tension for the rest of the chapter, where Saul and Jonathan must face the Philistines with almost no weapons, highlighting their faith and desperation.

Where else these words appear

“smith” Hebrew H2796 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.
  • 1 Chronicles 22:15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.
  • Isaiah 44:13 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

“Hebrews” Hebrew H5680 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 14:13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
  • Exodus 2:7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
  • Deuteronomy 15:12 And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.

“spears” Hebrew H2595 · used in 40 verses

  • 1 Samuel 13:22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
  • 1 Samuel 26:11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.