12. David was the son of an Ephrathite. His name was Jesse. He was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons. When Saul was king, Jesse was already very old.
13. Jesse's three oldest sons had followed Saul into battle. The oldest son was Eliab. The second was Abinadab. The third was Shammah.
14. David was the youngest. The three oldest sons followed Saul.
15. But David went back and forth from Saul's camp to Bethlehem. He went to Bethlehem to take care of his father's sheep.
16. Every morning and evening Goliath came forward and stood there. He did it for 40 days.
17. Jesse said to his son David, "Get at least half a bushel of grain that has been cooked. Also get ten loaves of bread. Take all of it to your brothers. Hurry to their camp.
18. Take along these ten chunks of cheese to the commander of their company. Find out how your brothers are doing. Bring me back some word about them.
19. They are with Saul and all of the men of Israel. They are in the Valley of Elah. They are fighting against the Philistines."