1 Samuel 17:1-11
New American Standard Bible
Goliath’s Challenge
17 Now (A)the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between (B)Socoh and (C)Azekah, in (D)Ephes-dammim. 2 Saul and the men of Israel were assembled and camped in (E)the Valley of Elah, and they drew up in battle formation to confront the Philistines. 3 The Philistines were standing on the mountain on one side, while Israel was standing on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them. 4 Then a champion came forward from the army encampment of the Philistines, named (F)Goliath, from (G)Gath. His height was [a]six cubits and a [b]span. 5 And he had a bronze helmet on his head, and he wore scale-armor [c]which weighed [d]five thousand shekels of bronze. 6 He also had bronze [e]greaves on his legs and a (H)bronze [f]saber slung between his shoulders. 7 (I)The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the head of his spear weighed [g]six hundred shekels of iron; and (J)his shield-carrier walked in front of 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 formation? Am I not the Philistine, and you the (K)servants of Saul? Choose a man as your representative and have him come down to me. 9 (L)If he is able to fight me and [h]kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and [i]kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “(M)I have defied the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man, so that we may fight together.” 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and very fearful.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Samuel 17:4 About 9 ft. or 2.7 m
- 1 Samuel 17:4 About 9 in. or 23 cm
- 1 Samuel 17:5 Lit and the weight of the armor was
- 1 Samuel 17:5 Possibly 75-125 lb. (shekel weight varied)
- 1 Samuel 17:6 I.e., shin guards
- 1 Samuel 17:6 Lit scimitar was
- 1 Samuel 17:7 Possibly 8-14 lb.
- 1 Samuel 17:9 Lit strike
- 1 Samuel 17:9 Lit strike
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