1 Samuel 17:1–10

Goliath Challenges the Israelites

17The Philistines gathered for battle in Socoh, a town in Judah; they camped at a place called Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah. ²Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah, where they got ready to fight the Philistines. ³The Philistines lined up on one hill and the Israelites on another, with a valley between them.

⁴A man named Goliath, from the city of Gath, came out from the Philistine camp to challenge the Israelites. He was nearly 3 metres^z tall ⁵and wore bronze armour that weighed about 57 kilogrammes and a bronze helmet. ⁶His legs were also protected by bronze armour, and he carried a bronze javelin slung over his shoulder. ⁷His spear was as thick as the bar on a weaver’s loom, and its iron head weighed about 7 kilogrammes. A soldier walked in front of him carrying his shield. ⁸Goliath stood and shouted at the Israelites, “What are you doing there, lined up for battle? I am a Philistine, you slaves of Saul! Choose one of your men to fight me. ⁹If he wins and kills me, we will be your slaves; but if I win and kill him, you will be our slaves. ¹⁰Here and now I challenge the Israelite army. I dare you to pick someone to fight me!”