1 Samuel 13:20
1 Samuel 13:20 Meaning and Explanation
“But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Every Israelite had to go down to the Philistines even to sharpen his farming tools.
What Does 1 Samuel 13:20 Mean?
So complete is the Philistine monopoly that Israelites must go to their oppressors merely to sharpen plowshares, axes, and mattocks. Even the implements of peace depend on the enemy's forge.
The picture is of a people bound in daily dependence on those who rule over them. It is a portrait of bondage that reaches into ordinary life. Against such a backdrop the LORD's deliverance shines all the brighter, for He raises up His people from a weakness they could not mend themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 13:20
What does 1 Samuel 13:20 mean?
Every Israelite had to go down to the Philistines even to sharpen his farming tools.