1 Samuel 17:1-11

David Kills Goliath

17¹ The Philistines drew up their troops for battle. They deployed them at Socoh in Judah, and set up camp between Socoh and Azekah at Ephes Dammim. ² Saul and the Israelites came together, camped at Oak Valley, and spread out their troops in battle readiness for the Philistines. ³ The Philistines were on one hill, the Israelites on the opposing hill, with the valley between them. ⁴ A giant nearly ten feet tall stepped out from the Philistine line into the open, Goliath from Gath. ⁵ He had a bronze helmet on his head and was dressed in armor - 126 pounds of it! ⁶ He wore bronze shin guards and carried a bronze sword. ⁷ His spear was like a fence rail - the spear tip alone weighed over fifteen pounds. His shield bearer walked ahead of him. ⁸ Goliath stood there and called out to the Israelite troops, "Why bother using your whole army? Am I not Philistine enough for you? And you're all committed to Saul, aren't you? So pick your best fighter and pit him against me. ⁹ If he gets the upper hand and kills me, the Philistines will all become your slaves. But if I get the upper hand and kill him, you'll all become our slaves and serve us. ¹⁰ I challenge the troops of Israel this day. Give me a man. Let us fight it out together!" ¹¹ When Saul and his troops heard the Philistine's challenge, they were terrified and lost all hope.