Definition: And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 17:52 together. It’s a really important part of the story of David’s battle against Goliath! Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, the Israelites and Philistines were running a chase – a desperate attempt to get to a place where they could defeat Goliath. “And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted…” - This describes the Israelites and their warriors who were rushing towards the battlefield. They were determined to fight. “…and pursued the Philistines…” – The Philistines were a group of people living on the coast of Israel. They were known for being tough fighters. The Israelites were trying to get them out of their territory. “…until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron.” - This is the key part. They’re setting a very specific goal: they want to reach a place called "Ekron." Ekron is a city in Israel, and it's a significant location for the Israelites. “And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim…” – This describes the state of the Philistine warriors who were injured during the chase. They were hurt and lay on the ground. "...and unto Gath, and unto Ekron." - This means they’re aiming to reach both Gath (a small town) and Ekron (the city). So, what's the big picture? It was a huge, dangerous chase! David’s army was determined to defeat Goliath. They were relentlessly pursuing the Philistines, and they eventually reached a point where they needed to reach a specific location – a valley and the gates of Ekron – to launch their attack. Why is this important? This verse shows that David wasn't just a powerful warrior; he was also incredibly strategic and determined. It highlights his bravery and his ability to plan ahead, even in a desperate situation. It’s a moment where God seemed to favor David because he was willing to take on the seemingly impossible challenge. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts further? Give you a little context about why this verse is significant in biblical history?