The reference to David as a brave man and a warrior is most likely a reference to his family rather than his person.1 His father Jesse was an important individual in Bethlehem, possibly a member of the ruling class. Three of his sons would also voluntarily go to join Saul in his fight against the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:13), a testimony to their skill in battle. The abilities of David were still unknown at this point in time (see 1 Samuel 17:32–37).
18 One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him.”