1 Samuel 17:1-11

1The Philistine army came together. They were ready to fight the Israelites. They met together near Socoh, a town in Judah. They put up their tents at Ephes Dammim between Socoh and Azekah.

2Saul and the Israelite army put up their tents in the valley of Elah. The soldiers prepared to fight against the Philistines.

3The Philistines were standing on one hill. The Israelites were on another hill. The valley was between the two armies.

4The Philistines had a strong, brave soldier. His name was Goliath and he came from a town called Gath. He was nearly three metres tall!

5He wore a helmet and armour that were made of bronze. The armour for his body weighed about 57 kilograms.

6He had pieces of bronze to protect his legs. He had a bronze sword that he tied on his back.

7He also carried a heavy spear. It was as thick as a tree. The iron point on the spear weighed about seven kilograms. A man who carried Goliath's shield walked in front of him.

8Goliath stood up and he shouted to the Israelite soldiers, ‘Why have you all got ready to fight against us? I am the great soldier of the Philistine army. You serve Saul as his soldiers. Is that not true? So you must choose one of your men to come and fight against me.

9If he can kill me in a fight, we Philistines will become your slaves. But if I knock him down and I kill him, then you Israelites will become our slaves.’

10Then Goliath said, ‘I am not afraid of any of your soldiers! Choose one of your men and we will fight against each other.’

11King Saul and all the Israelite soldiers heard what Goliath said. It made them very upset and afraid.