Jesse said, Take now for thy brethren, &c. He thought provisions might be scarce with them. But, having other sons at home with him, it was, no doubt, through a divine influence that he sent David from the sheep upon this errand. Carry these ten cheeses unto the captain Whose favour might be very serviceable to them. And take their pledge That is, bring me some token of their welfare. Perhaps Jesse and his sons had fixed on some pledge between them, that they might be assured the messengers they sent to each other had been with them, and executed their commission.
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 17:17
1 Samuel 17:17-18
17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;
18 And carry these ten cheesesd unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.