1 Samuel 17:17
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; 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;
Jesse sent his son David to the Israelite camp carrying food for his older brothers, an ephah of parched corn and ten loaves, as both a gift and a message from home. The charge was to run to the camp to his brothers and to learn whether they were safe and well. The work was an ordinary, humble family errand of bringing provisions to his brothers. Yet that lowly errand served a higher mission, for David had been directed by an angel to save Israel.
While at the camp on this errand, David heard Goliath defying Israel. He was moved by that defiance to step forward in defense of God's people. The account of Jesse sending David to the camp is the setting recalled afterward to point to David's victory over Goliath, the Philistine champion.
David met Goliath with humility and trust in God rather than confidence in human weapons or strength. His reliance on God to give truth the victory stands as an example for others. In contrast, Goliath's boastfulness represents self-confidence that can lead to failure and harm.