1 Samuel 17:15-21

Christian Standard Bible

¹⁵ but David kept going back and forth from Saul^(A) to tend his father’s flock in Bethlehem.

¹⁶ Every morning and evening for forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand. ¹⁷ One day Jesse had told his son David, “Take this half-bushel^[a] of roasted grain along with these ten loaves of bread^(B) for your brothers and hurry to their camp. ¹⁸ Also take these ten portions of cheese to the field commander.^[b] Check on the well-being of your brothers^(C) and bring a confirmation from them. ¹⁹ They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah fighting with the Philistines.”

²⁰ So David got up early in the morning, left the flock with someone to keep it, loaded up, and set out as Jesse had charged him.

He arrived at the perimeter of the camp^(D) as the army was marching out to its battle formation shouting their battle cry. ²¹ Israel and the Philistines lined up in battle formation facing each other.