Valley of Elah
The traditional location of the famous battle between
David and Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:1-11
1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle;
and they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah,
and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 2
And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and
encamped in the valley of Elah, and drew up in line of
battle against the Philistines. 3 And the Philistines
stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood
on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between
them. 4 And there came out from the camp of the
Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose
height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a helmet of
bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail,
and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of
bronze. 6 And he had greaves of bronze upon his legs, and
a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. 7 And
the shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his
spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his
shield-bearer went before him. 8 He stood and shouted to
the ranks of Israel, "Why have you come out to draw up
for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not
servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let
him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and
kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail
against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants
and serve us." 10 And the Philistine said, "I defy the
ranks of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may
fight together." 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these
words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly
afraid.
(Israel Minister of Tourism)
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