David Enters the Scene of Battle

12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite. This man was from Bethlehem of Judah, and his name was Jesse. ⌊He had⌋g eight sons; in the days of Saul this man was old, yet he still walked amongh the men. 13 The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone and ⌊followed⌋i Saul to the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, his second oldest was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah. 14 Now David was the youngest. The three oldest ⌊followed⌋j Saul, 15 but David went ⌊back and forth⌋k from Saul to feed the sheep of his father in Bethlehem. 16 Now the Philistine came forward early and late, and he took his stand for forty days.

17 Then Jesse said to his son David, “Please take for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and bring them quickly to the camp for your brothers. 18 And these ten portions of cheese you will bring to the commander of the thousand; ⌊find out how your brothers are doing⌋,l and take their pledge.”m 19 Now Saul and theyn and all the men of Israel were in the valley of Elah fighting the Philistines.