12 Now David was Jesse’s son, an Ephraimite from Bethlehem in Judah who had eight sons. By Saul’s time, Jesse was already quite old and far along in age.
13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had gone with Saul to war. Their names were Eliab the oldest, Abinadab the second oldest, and Shammah the third oldest.
14 (David was the youngest.) These three older sons followed Saul,
15 but David went back and forth from Saul’s side to shepherd his father’s flock in Bethlehem.
16 For forty days straight the Philistine came out and took his stand, both morning and evening.
17 Jesse said to his son David, "Please take your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread. Deliver them quickly to your brothers in the camp.
18 And here, take these ten wedges of cheese to their unit commander. Find out how your brothers are doing and bring back some sign that they are okay.