1 Samuel 17:1-11

1The Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah and camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.

2Saul and the men of Israel gathered and camped in the Valley of Elah; then 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, came out from the Philistine camp. He was nine feet, nine inches tall

5and wore a bronze helmet and bronze scale armor that weighed one hundred twenty-five pounds.

6There was bronze armor on his shins, and a bronze javelin was slung between his shoulders.

7His spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam, and the iron point of his spear weighed fifteen pounds. In addition, a shield-bearer was 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? Choose 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.”

10Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel today. Send me a man so we can fight each other!”

11When Saul and all Israel heard these words from the Philistine, they lost their courage and were terrified.