1 Samuel 17:1–10

David versus Goliath

17The Philistines ^ogathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah and camped between Socoh ^pand Azekah ^qin Ephes-dammim. ^r2Saul and the men of Israel gathered and camped in the Valley of Elah; ^sthen they lined up in battle formation to face the Philistines.

³The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites were standing on another hill with a ravine between them. ⁴Then a champion named Goliath, from Gath, ^tcame out from the Philistine camp. He was nine feet, nine inches tall ^uv5and wore a bronze helmet ^wand bronze scale armor that weighed 125 pounds. ^x6There was bronze armor on his shins, and a bronze sword ^ywas slung between his shoulders. ⁷His spear shaft ^zwas like a weaver’s beam, and the iron point of his spear weighed 15 pounds. ^aIn addition, a shield-bearer ^bwas walking in front of him.

⁸He stood and shouted to the Israelite battle formations: “Why do you come out to line up in battle formation?” He asked them, “Am I not a Philistine and are you not servants of Saul? ^cChoose one of your men and have him come down against me. ⁹If he wins in a fight against me and kills me, we will be your servants. But if I win against him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us.” ^d10Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel today. ^eSend me a man so we can fight each other!”