But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Beth-lehem.
David left Saul's service at court and returned to his father's house at Bethlehem to tend his father's sheep, going back and forth between the two places. Shepherding was an occupation he loved. His time at court had shown him that royal splendor and human glory cannot give the soul peace, so he returned to the sheepfolds with relief and gladness.
When the Philistines renewed war with Israel he was still a shepherd tending sheep. He was therefore at his ordinary shepherd work when his father later sent him on an errand to his brothers at the battle. His humble background in that ordinary work contrasts with Goliath's boastful confidence, showing that in the encounter he relied on God rather than human strength.
David left Saul's service at court and returned to his father's house at Bethlehem to tend his father's sheep, going back and forth between the two places. Shepherding was an occupation he loved. His time at court had shown him that royal splendor and human glory cannot give the soul peace, so he returned to the sheepfolds with relief and gladness.
When the Philistines renewed war with Israel he was still a shepherd tending sheep. He was therefore at his ordinary shepherd work when his father later sent him on an errand to his brothers at the battle. His humble background in that ordinary work contrasts with Goliath's boastful confidence, showing that in the encounter he relied on God rather than human strength.