1 Samuel 17:18
ESV
Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them."
NIV
Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them.
NASB
Bring also these ten slices of cheese to the commander of their thousand, and look into the well-being of your brothers and bring back confirmation from them.
CSB
Also take these ten portions of cheese to the field commander. Check on the well-being of your brothers and bring a confirmation from them.
NLT
And give these ten cuts of cheese to their captain. See how your brothers are getting along, and bring back a report on how they are doing. '
KJV
And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
NKJV
And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them.”
What does 1 Samuel 17:18 mean?
Jesse, an elderly man from Bethlehem (1 Samuel 17:12), is sending his youngest son David to the Israelite camp above the Valley of Elah. There, soldiers are lined up against the Philistines on the opposite side of the valley (1 Samuel 17:1–2). David will be hauling quite a load of food, including ten loaves of bread and about a bushel of roasted grain.In addition, Jesse sends along ten cheeses to give to the commander of his sons' division. The word translated as "thousand" could refer to a clan, division, or unit; it is not always meant as an actual number of soldiers. Jesse's cheese was intended to contribute to the needs of the entire division and not just his own family.
Finally, Jesse lets David know that he wants news back from the battle. He tells the boy to find out if his brothers are well and to get some kind of message, or token of assurance, from them.
First Samuel 17:12–23 re-introduces David (1 Samuel 16:11–13), who travels between shepherding and playing music for King Saul. This chapter seems to add detail to the earlier description of David in Saul's service (1 Samuel 16:18–21). David's father sends the young man on an errand to his three oldest brothers, camped with the rest of Israel's army in a faceoff with the Philistines. While there, David hears one of the daily challenges from Goliath, the enormous Philistine champion.
David, delivering food to his brothers at the Israelite army camp, hears the Philistine Goliath's defiant challenge. Single man combat could decide the battle, but no Israelite wanted to face the massive warrior. David is appalled that a Philistine would defy the armies of the living God. He volunteers to fight, and King Saul agrees. Before the battle, David declares that the Lord will give victory and thereby show the world that there is a God in Israel. David quickly kills and beheads Goliath. The Israelites chase the Philistines back to their own territory and plunder their camp. David brings Goliath's head to Saul.
