(12) В¶ Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul. (13) And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. (14) And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul. (15) But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.
The sacred historian here revives again the history of David and his family. Jesse the father, is honorably spoken of: and the three eldest sons, who are in Saul s army, are mentioned by name. But the whole of this, is with a view to introduce the great hero of the family, David. If Saul and all his army trembled at the approach of Goliath, Jesse's eldest sons were among the number that feared. But do we not see here, somewhat leading to David's Lord. Jesus feeds his sheep at Bethlehem, amidst all the wars and hostilities of camps. Oh! for grace to seek after him like the church, and to find him beside the shepherds' tents. Song of Solomon 1:7-8.