שמואל א, פרק י״ז, פסוק א׳

The tides of war shift, marking a critical turning point in the balance of power between the Israelites and their enemies. Once the spirit of God departs from King Saul, the bravery of the Israelites begins to fade. This decline breathes new courage into the Philistines. Although they suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Jonathan not long ago, the Philistines now feel confident enough to launch a new military campaign [מלבי״ם].

They begin organizing their combat units [ביאור שטיינזלץ] through a two-step mobilization process. Initially, the Philistines gather their forces within their own borders. Immediately afterward, they push forward, penetrating straight into the territory of Judah to finish their battle preparations. Gathering in Sokho of Judah reveals their immense boldness. Unafraid to position themselves deep within Israelite land, the Philistines behave as though they have already conquered the territory. From Sokho, they continue their advance, deliberately moving to set up their front lines right next to the Israelite camp [מלבי״ם].

They establish their base in a strategic area between Sokho and Azekah, at a site known as Ephes Dammim. While there is a general consensus that this is the actual geographical name of the location, there are different perspectives regarding how the area earned this title [רד״ק]. One approach suggests the name comes from the physical landscape, describing a distinct patch of red earth. In contrast, another perspective views the name through a symbolic and historical lens, suggesting it marks the exact location where the shedding of Israelite blood finally came to an end.