The Elah Valley, where David defeated the Philistine giant Goliath.
Also known as Valley of Elah
The Elah Valley was the location of the memorable confrontation between David and the Philistine champion Goliath (1Samuel 17). The Philistines gathered their armies there to battle against King Saul and the Israelites.
The valley was situated on the border between Judah and Philistia, near the city of Azekah. It was likely an open area suitable for battle. David, then a young shepherd boy, arrived at the Israelite camp and accepted Goliath's challenge. With a sling and a stone, David struck down Goliath, and the Philistines fled in defeat.
After this victory, the Elah Valley became famous as the site of David's triumph and the place where he launched his ascent to the throne. The "sword of Goliath" that David took from the fallen giant was kept in Nob, and David later retrieved it when fleeing from Saul (1Sa.21.9).
Approximate location: 31.691, 34.963 · view on a map · on the Bible atlas
3 verses in 1 book · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H0425
Saul and the men of Israel assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah, arraying themselves for battle against the Philistines.
They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.”
The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want, you may take it. For there is no other but this one here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.