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1 Samuel 17:3
ESV And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.
NIV The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.
NASB The Philistines were standing on the mountain on one side, while Israel was standing on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.
CSB The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites were standing on another hill with a ravine between them.
NLT So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them.
KJV And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
NKJV The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.

What does 1 Samuel 17:3 mean?

The Philistine and Israelite armies are drawn up in battle lines, facing off but not engaged in combat. The Israelites occupy a mountain on the north side of the plain or valley, while the Philistines camp on the mountain on the south side of the Valley of Elah.

This situation is similar to a time earlier in Saul's reign. A massive Philistine army camped on one side of a ravine near Michmash with the tiny, mostly weaponless Israelite forces camped on the other side. In that case, the bold faith and bold attack by Saul's son Jonathan kicked off a miraculous victory from the Lord for Israel (1 Samuel 14). This time, the boldness brought on by faith in God will be provided by someone else.
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