1 Samuel 17:1

Goliath’s Challenge · 1 Samuel 17:1–11
Read 1 Samuel 17

Translations

Modern
Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.
Traditional
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes–dammim.
Literal
And the Philistines gathered together their camps for the battle, and they were gathered together at Sochoh which is to Judah, and they encamped between Sochoh and between Azekah in Ephes-dammim.
Latin
Congregantes autem Philisthiim agmina sua in prælium, convenerunt in Socho Judæ: et castrametati sunt inter Socho et Azeca in finibus Dommim.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.

Notes

  • The Philistines were a constant threat during Saul’s rule (see 1 Samuel 14:47–52).

  • Socoh in Judah was 22.5 kilometers (14 miles) west of Bethlehem, near Philistine land.

  • Azekah was a few kilometers northwest of Socoh (the exact location of Ephes-dammim is unknown). The Philistines were invading Israelite territory.

Events

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Azekah: Judean town, site of battles and sieges Ephes-dammim: Place where the Philistines and Israelites fought; Goliath's challenge Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan Socoh: Town in Judah; site of David's battle with Goliath

Glossary

Achish Azekah Ephes-Dammim Giants Goliath Philistia, Philistines Psalm 151 Samuel, Books of First and Second Shocho, Shochoh, Shoco Soco (Place), Socoh Warfare

Topics

Azekah: A Town of Judah Boasting: Goliath David: King of Israel: Kills Goliath Ephes-Dammin: A Place in the Territory of the Tribe of Judah Goliath: Defied Armies of Israel and is Killed by David Israel: Under the Kings Before the Separation Into Two Kingdoms: Goliath Killed Pas-Dammim: Called Ephes-Dammim In Philistines: Their Champion, Goliath, Killed by David Saul: King of Israel: Defeats the Philistines After Goliath is Killed by David Socoh: Also Called Shocho, Shochoh, Shoco, Sochoh: A City of the Tribe of Judah Suffering: Goliath for the Philistines The Philistines: Character of Warlike The Philistines: Defeated Israel at Ephesdammim and Pursued to Ekron