Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
"The garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash"  (1 Samuel 13:23).  This maneuver was supposed by the Philistines to cut off all avenues of attack by the men of Saul and Jonathan.