1 Samuel 17:16-19

The Philistine .... presented himself. I.e. took his stand (see on 1 Samuel 10:23 ; 1 Samuel 12:7 , 1 Samuel 12:16 ). This verse takes up the narrative, disturbed by the inserted explanation about David's family relations. The extraordinary formation of the ground, as described in 1 Samuel 17:3 , shows how it was possible for this challenge to go on for forty days without either army advancing or retiring. During this long time it seems to have been the business of the friends at home to supply the combatants with food, and so Jesse sends David with an ephah , about three pecks, of parched corn —as the word is spelt in the Hebrew it means "parched pease." Also ten loaves, and, for the captain of their thousand, ten cheeses —rather, "ten slices of fresh curd." David was also to take their pledge . Apparently neither Eliab nor his brethren could write, and therefore they would send back to their father some token previously agreed upon to show that they were in good health, and had received the supplies sent them. Now Saul, etc. This is a part of Jesse's speech, telling David where he would find his brethren. For were, the right translation is, "They are in the terebinth valley, fighting with the Philistines."

HOMILETICS.