LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Philistines: Battles
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Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 2Saul and the Israelites gathered and encamped in the valley of Elah, and formed ranks against the Philistines. 3The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. 4And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six
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The Philistines surface again as the main threat to Israel's existence. Facing the Philistines in battle at Aphek, the Israelites fetched the ark of the covenant from Shiloh thinking it would automatically give them victory. The Philistines proceeded to kill many Israelites, including Hophni and Phineas, and to capture the ark. When Eli heard about these events he died.
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: The battle lines were drawn in the previous chapter, when the Philistines made a deep incursion into Israelite territory. The Philistines were intent on delivering a death-blow to Israel, and the two armies square off in anticipation of battle.
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