Valley of Elah

Mortal Combat in the Valley of Elah

David vs Goliath

Philistine and Israelite armies line up on opposite sides of the Valley of Elah, along the border of both nations. Goliath, champion warrior of the Philistines, steps up to challenge any willing Israelite to a fight to the death, winner take all. He protected his head with a bronze helmet. And he wore a coat of small bronze plates linked like fish scales. It weighed 125 pounds (57 kg). He wore bronze leg guards, and he carried a bronze javelin slung over his back. He also carried a spear with a shaft that looked as thick as a weaver’s beam. The iron spearhead alone weighed at least 15 pounds (6.8 kg).  A soldier walked ahead of him, protecting him by carrying a tall shield. Goliath shouted across the narrow valley at Israel’s army, “Let’s be reasonable. We don’t need our armies to fight each other. I’m one Philistine. Why don’t you pick one of Saul’s men to fight me? If he kills me, we lose. Philistines will serve your people. If I kill him, you lose. Israel serves us. 10I challenge your army to mortal combat. Send me a man willing to fight.” The only willing Israelite was David, a shepherd armed with just a slingshot and some rocks. David drops Goliath with a rock to the head. Then David cuts off the soldier's head. Philistines run away, with suddenly-brave Israelites chasing them and killing them all day. That's as long as it takes them to reach safety in their walled cities of Gath and Ekron. The story is in 1 Samuel 17. For other Bible versions of the story, see Bible Gateway.