1 Samuel 17:1-11
Common English Bible
David defeats Goliath
17 The Philistines assembled their troops for war at Socoh of Judah. They camped between Socoh and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. 2 Saul and the Israelite army assembled and camped in the Elah Valley, where they got organized to fight the Philistines. 3 The Philistines took positions on one hill while Israel took positions on the opposite hill. There was a valley between them.
4 A champion named Goliath from Gath came out from the Philistine camp. He was more than nine feet tall.[a] 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore bronze scale-armor weighing one hundred twenty-five pounds.[b] 6 He had bronze plates on his shins, and a bronze scimitar hung on his back. 7 His spear shaft[c] was as strong as the bar on a weaver’s loom, and its iron head weighed fifteen pounds.[d] His shield-bearer walked in front of him.
8 He stopped and shouted to the Israelite troops, “Why have you come and taken up battle formations? I am the Philistine champion,[e] and you are Saul’s servants. Isn’t that right? Select one of your men, and let him come down against me. 9 If he is able to fight me and kill me, then we will become your slaves, but if I overcome him and kill him, then you will become our slaves and you will serve us. 10 I insult Israel’s troops today!” The Philistine continued, “Give me an opponent, and we’ll fight!” 11 When Saul and all Israel heard what the Philistine said, they were distressed and terrified.[f]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Samuel 17:4 LXX over six feet tall
- 1 Samuel 17:5 Five thousand shekels
- 1 Samuel 17:7 Qere, LXX, Syr (cf 2 Sam 21:19); Kethib the point of his spear
- 1 Samuel 17:7 Six hundred shekels
- 1 Samuel 17:8 MT the Philistine lacks champion.
- 1 Samuel 17:11 The following verses are absent from LXXB: 17:12-31, 41, 48b, 50, 55-58.
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