David & Goliath
Atlas & timelineThe Shephelah is the band of low hills between the coastal plain, where the Philistine cities stood, and the highlands of Judah. Its east-west valleys, like Elah, were natural routes into Judah, so they were contested ground.
The Philistines were a sea people who settled on the southern coast in five main cities (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron and Gath) and were Israel's chief rivals in the time of Saul.
Single combat between champions was a known way to settle a battle in the ancient Near East. David refuses Saul's armour and goes with a sling, a weapon of skilled shepherds and soldiers alike.
The event is usually placed early in Saul's reign, before David became king, around 1025-1010 BC. These dates are approximate and scholars debate them.
Locations and dates are approximate. The Valley of Elah is widely accepted; camp positions, the route and the date are reconstructions and remain debated. Uncertain sites have a dashed outline.
Biblical timeline
Moses leads Israel out of Egypt; the law at Sinai; Joshua leads them into Canaan. Early and late dates (c. 1446 or c. 1260 BC) are both argued.
Moses · Aaron · Miriam · Joshua
Dates for this era are debated among scholars.
Place identifications and coordinates: OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0)