21
Israel and the Philistines moved into position, facing each other, battle-ready.
22
David left his bundles of food in the care of a sentry, ran to the troops who were deployed, and greeted his brothers.
23
While they were talking together, the Philistine champion, Goliath of Gath, stepped out from the front lines of the Philistines, and gave his usual challenge. David heard him.
24
The Israelites, to a man, fell back the moment they saw the giant - totally frightened.
25
The talk among the troops was, "Have you ever seen anything like this, this man openly and defiantly challenging Israel? The man who kills the giant will have it made. The king will give him a huge reward, offer his daughter as a bride, and give his entire family a free ride."
26
David, who was talking to the men standing around him, asked, "What's in it for the man who kills that Philistine and gets rid of this ugly blot on Israel's honor? Who does he think he is, anyway, this uncircumcised Philistine, taunting the armies of God-Alive?"
27
They told him what everyone was saying about what the king would do for the man who killed the Philistine.
28
Eliab, his older brother, heard David fraternizing with the men and lost his temper: "What are you doing here! Why aren't you minding your own business, tending that scrawny flock of sheep? I know what you're up to. You've come down here to see the sights, hoping for a ringside seat at a bloody battle!"
29
"What is it with you?" replied David. "All I did was ask a question."
30
Ignoring his brother, he turned to someone else, asked the same question, and got the same answer as before.
31
The things David was saying were picked up and reported to Saul. Saul sent for him.