2 Saul and the Israelites gathered in the Valley of Elah. And they camped there. They took their positions to fight the Philistines.
3 The Philistines controlled one hill. The Israelites controlled another. The valley was between them.
4 The Philistines had a champion fighter named Goliath. He was from Gath. He was about nine feet four inches tall. He came out of the Philistine camp.
5 He had a bronze helmet on his head. And he wore a coat of scale armor. It was made of bronze and weighed about 125 pounds.
6 He wore bronze protectors on his legs. And he had a small spear of bronze tied on his back.
7 The wooden part of his larger spear was like a weaver’s rod. And its blade weighed about 15 pounds. The officer who carried his shield walked in front of him.
8 Goliath stood and shouted to the Israelite soldiers, “Why have you taken positions for battle? I am a Philistine, and you are Saul’s servants! Choose a man and send him to fight me.