1 Samuel 13:17-19

International Standard Version

¹⁷ Raiders went out of the Philistine camp in three companies. One company turned in the direction of^[a] Ophrah, to the land of Shual, ¹⁸ one company turned in the direction of^[b] Beth-horon, while the one company turned toward the border^[c] that overlooks the valley of Zeboiim toward the desert.

The Philistine Monopoly on Metal Working

¹⁹ No blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel because the Philistines thought, “This will keep the Hebrews from making swords or spears.”