The five leaders of the Philistines watched what was happening and then returned to Ekron on the same day.

Meanwhile for forty days the Philistine approached every morning and evening and took his position.

Now the Philistines had captured the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.

Saul, his son Jonathan, and the army that remained with them stayed in Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped in Micmash.

On that day the army struck down the Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon, and they became very tired.

Saul and the Israelite army assembled and camped in the valley of Elah, where they arranged their battle lines to fight against the Philistines.

The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites on another hill, with the valley between them.

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.

When Saul and all the Israelites heard these words of the Philistine, they were upset and very afraid.

They are with Saul and the whole Israelite army in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.”

The Philistine kept coming closer to David, with his shield bearer walking in front of him.

When the Israelites returned from their hot pursuit of the Philistines, they looted their camp.

David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put Goliath’s weapons in his tent.

He inquired of the Lord for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

They told David, “The Philistines are fighting in Keilah and are looting the threshing floors.”

But a messenger came to Saul saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!”

The length of time that David lived in the Philistine countryside was a year and four months.

The Philistines assembled; they came and camped at Shunem. Saul mustered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.

When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was absolutely terrified.

The Philistines assembled all their troops at Aphek, while Israel camped at the spring that is in Jezreel.