13. Jesse’s three oldest sons—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimea—had already joined Saul’s army to fight the Philistines.
14. David was the youngest son. David’s three oldest brothers stayed with Saul’s army,
15. but David went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.
16. For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army.
17. One day Jesse said to David, “Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and carry them quickly to your brothers.
18. And give these ten cuts of cheese to their captain. See how your brothers are getting along, and bring back a report on how they are doing.”
19. David’s brothers were with Saul and the Israelite army at the valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.
20. So David left the sheep with another shepherd and set out early the next morning with the gifts, as Jesse had directed him. He arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries.