1. The Philistines gathered their troops for battle. They assembled at Socoh in Judah. They camped in Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah.
2. Saul and the Israelite army assembled and camped in the valley of Elah, where they arranged their battle lines to fight against the Philistines.
3. The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites on another hill, with the valley between them.
4. Then a champion came out from the camp of the Philistines. His name was Goliath; he was from Gath. He was close to seven feet tall.