composition, which may be much older. No deuteronomistic phrases are identifiable in this account. (17:1–3) The account opens with the Philistine and Israelite armies facing one another across a ravine in SW Judah. Socoh is identified with Khirbet Abbad (MR147121), the ancient name is preserved in the neighboring Khirbet Shuweika, 14 miles W of Bethlehem (cf. 2 Chr 17:7; 28:18). Some 2–3 miles to the NW was Azekah, modern Tell ez-Zakariyeh (MR144123). Ephes-Dammim is located by V. Gold