Elah Valley

1 Samuel 17:1-4 reads "The Philistines now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim.   Saul countered by gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah.  So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them."

And further along, in verse 40, it reads "He (David) picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine."

Not a great photo (should have used a wide angle lens) but this is the Valley of Elah.  The Israelites were on the left side of the valley, and the Philistines were on the right side of the valley.

The hill where the Israelites stood.

The hill where Goliath and the Philistines stood.

The creek bed, dry when we were there, where David would have picked up those five, smooth, stones.

Another view of the dry creek bed.

Another view of the dry creek bed.

False-plumed thistle

Another False-plumed thistle

False-plumed thistle