14. David was the youngest son. Jesse’s three oldest sons followed Saul.
15. But David went back and forth from Saul to Bethlehem. There he took care of his father’s sheep.
16. The Philistine Goliath came out every morning and evening. He stood before the Israelite army. This continued for 40 days.
17. Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this half bushel of cooked grain. And take ten loaves of bread. Take them to your brothers in the camp.
18. Also take ten pieces of cheese. Give them to the commander of your brothers’ group of 1,000 soldiers. See how your brothers are. Bring back something to show me they are all right.
19. Your brothers are with Saul and the army in the Valley of Elah. They are fighting against the Philistines.”
20. Early in the morning David left the sheep with another shepherd. He took the food and left as Jesse had told him. When David arrived at the camp, the army was leaving. They were going out to their battle positions. The soldiers were shouting their war cry.
21. The Israelites and Philistines were lining up their men to face each other in battle.