1 Samuel 13:17-20 - No one had a sword or a spear

13:17,18

In the meantime, the Philistines send out separate raiding parties. They were sent out in three detachments, one towards Ophrah, one towards Beth Heron, and the third to the borderland overlooking the Valley of Zeboyim. These raiding parties would carry out harassing attacks, further debilitating and discouraging the Israelites.

13:19

The Philistines had removed all the blacksmiths, so that Israel did not have the capacity to make swords or spears. Israel needed tools for agriculture, but they had to get the Philistines to sharpen these tools for them. The price they were charged for doing this was extortionate. Israel was very much under the cosh, and, humanly speaking, in no position to overcome the Philistines.

13:20

So on the day of a battle, no one, except Saul and Jonathan possessed a sword or a spear. A detachment from the Philistines had set out to the pass at Michmash. The situation did not look good for Israel.