"What shall be done," he inquired of his neighbors, "to the man that killeth this Philistine and taketh away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
They answered and told him what the king had promised: "So shall it be done to the man that killeth him."
His eldest brother Eliab heard these questionings, and his anger was kindled against David. He turned upon him, saying:
"Why comest thou down hither? And with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and forwardness: thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle."
"What have I now done?" replied the youth. "Was there not a cause for my coming?"
He turned away and again asked the nearest soldier of the affair, receiving the same answer. And some one came to Saul, relating the words the stripling had spoken. Saul sent for him.
As soon as he stood in the king's presence, David broke out, pointing to the distant figure of the giant:
"Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine."
"Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him," answered Saul; "for thou art but a youth, and he is a man of war from his childhood up."