harp to his master; and the youth's skill in charming away this evil spirit had given him favor in Saul's sight, so that he had kept him before him and made him his armor-bearer. But when the three older sons of Jesse had joined the army gathered against the Philistines, David had returned to his duties with his father's flocks.
It chanced at this time that Jesse called David to him:
"Take now," said he, "this bushel of parched corn and these ten loaves and carry them swiftly to the camp to thy brethren.
"And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how thy brethren fare and bring me word again."
So David arose very early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and went as his father had commanded to the camp by the valley of Elah.
It was an easy journey for one who spent his days abroad with the sheep, and the sun was but lately up when he reached the encampment.
All was noise and confusion as he arrived, for both hosts were setting themselves in battle array, army against army. So the youth left his burdens with the keeper of the supplies, and ran in among the ranks until he found his brethren and said unto them: "Peace be with you."
As he talked with them, the Philistine champion appeared on the opposite slope. According to his wont, he challenged the whole army and reviled them,
while the men of Israel drew back, sore afraid as before.
David heard his insults, and heard also the talk of those who stood by: what great things King Saul had promised to any who might overthrow him, and how long his boast and defiance had gone unquestioned.