Where did David kill Goliath? The Bible gives numerous landmarks in 1 Samuel 17 to locate the battlefield. It was "between Socoh and Azekah" (v. 1). The armies were camped on mountains "with a valley between them" (3). David stopped at "the brook" to gather sling stones on his way to face Goliath (40). These... Continue Reading →
Grady Persell, who is traveling with me, found a sling stone at Khirbet Qeiyafa this past Thursday. This is not the first sling stone found at Khirbet Qeiyafa. Several were found earlier this season and several were also found last year. Still, to find a sling stone where David fought Goliath is always nice!
Everyone who excavated at Khirbet Qeiyafa had the privilege of enjoying a beautiful, daily view of the Elah Valley. The Elah Valley is most famous as the location of the David vs. Goliath story in 1 Samuel 17. In ancient times it was the border region between the Israelites and the Philistines, and would have... Continue Reading →
As a followup to my post on the famous biblical slinger David, here is a video of my wife's cousin Brian Grubbs using a sling against a (thankfully) unpopulated target. Brian appears to be using smaller-sized stones than those excavated at Khirbet Qeiyafa, yet I would still flee very rapidly from his line of fire.... Continue Reading →
Slings were popular military weapons in ancient times, even in the centuries after Christ. Its most famous use is probably in the Bible account of David and Goliath. This encounter took place in the Elah Valley, where I am currently excavating. Some of us may know the words to a children's song about the battle.... Continue Reading →
Bible, Archaeology, and Travel with Luke Chandler 
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