1 Now 1the Philistinesgathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socohwhich belongs to Judah, and they campedbetween2Socoh and 3Azekah, in 4Ephes-dammim.
2
Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in 5the valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array to encounter the Philistines.
3
The Philistinesstood on the mountain on oneside while Israelstood on the mountain on the otherside, with the valleybetween them.
4
Then a champion*came out from the armies of the Philistinesnamed6Goliath, from 7Gath, whose height was sixcubits and a span.
5
He had a bronzehelmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighedfivethousandshekels of bronze.
6
He also had bronzegreaves on his legs and a 8bronzejavelin slung between his shoulders.
7
9The shaft of his spear was like a weaver'sbeam, and the head of his spear weighed sixhundredshekels of iron; 10his shield-carrier* also walkedbefore him.
8
He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, "Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you 11servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him comedown to me.
9
"12If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us."
10
Again the Philistinesaid, "13I defy the ranks of Israelthisday; give me a man that we may fighttogether."
11
When Saul and allIsraelheardthesewords of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatlyafraid.
12
Now David was 14the son of the 15Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse, and 16he had eightsons. And Jesse was old in the days of Saul, advanced in years among men.
13
The threeoldersons of Jesse had goneafterSaul to the battle. And 17the names of his threesonswhowent to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and the second to him Abinadab, and the thirdShammah.
14
18David was the youngest. Now the threeoldestfollowed*Saul,
15
19but Davidwent*back and forth from Saul20to tend his father'sflock at Bethlehem.
16
The Philistinecameforwardmorning and evening for fortydays and took his stand.
17
Then Jessesaid to David his son, "21Takenow for your brothers an ephah of thisroastedgrain and thesetenloaves and run to the camp to your brothers.
18
"22Bring also thesetencuts of cheese to the commander of their thousand, 23and look into the welfare of your brothers, and bring back news of them.
19
"For Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines."