Now David was the son of the Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse, and he had eight sons. And Jesse was old in the days of Saul, advanced in years among men. The three older sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and the second to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. David was the youngest. Now the three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock at Bethlehem. The Philistine came forward morning and evening for forty days and took his stand.Then Jesse said to David his son, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves and run to the camp to your brothers. Bring also these ten cuts of cheese to the commander of their thousand, and look into the welfare of your brothers, and bring back news of them. For Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. (I Samuel 17:12-19 NASB)

These verses again shows how God opens the door for David. In these verses we see a father sending his youngest son to the battle front to take care of the needs of his older brothers and to bring back news on their welfare to his father. Jesse is picture here as an elder of Israel, one advance in years, and a father concerned about the welfare of his sons. He sends provisions for his three oldest sons as well as ten cuts of cheese to the commander of the thousand over his brothers. We also see from these verses that David who was in Saul’s service had went back home to help out with his father’s flock. These verses also reveal that no one, including Saul, David’s three brothers, Saul’s commanders or his own sons were willing to fight Goliath. Also nothing is revealed about the four other sons of Jesse.

The events surrounding David’s decision to fight Goliath reveals how his faith and belief system was different then those around him. First they all fear Goliath, David did not. Next the motivation that Saul presented to the one that would fight Goliath was for money and power, however David’s motivation was to fight against the one that defied the armies of the living God. As I read and study these verses I gain an understanding that our motivation to follow and live in the way of the Lord is so must more important then seeking the rewards that the world has to offer. David probably faced more opposition from his brothers than anyone else as he made his decision to battle Goliath. This opposition shows how much his brother really did not know his brother. He was just the boy that kept the sheep out in the pasture.

When Saul questioned David about his ability to fight Goliath, David gave him pass accounts of how had battle both a bear and a lion who were going after a lamb in his care, and how he rescued the lamb. Since the Lord delivered him from these two foes, He would also deliver him this Philistine. David did not even called Goliath by name; he called him the Philistine.