1. The Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah and camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.
2. Saul and the men of Israel gathered and camped in the Valley of Elah; then they lined up in battle formation to face the Philistines.
3. The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites were standing on another hill with a ravine between them.
4. Then a champion named Goliath, from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was nine feet, nine inches tall
5. and wore a bronze helmet and bronze scale armor that weighed 125 pounds.
6. There was bronze armor on his shins, and a bronze sword was slung between his shoulders.
7. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam, and the iron point of his spear weighed 15 pounds. In addition, a shield-bearer was walking in front of him.
8. He 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.
9. If 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.”
10. Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel today. Send me a man so we can fight each other! ”