Jealousy is one of the worst faults a person can have, and it is to be
feared that David's family all felt it and showed it for this youngest
brother, who though a mere boy of seventeen, had received honours, and
shown ability far beyond their own, instead of rejoicing in his good
fortune, as they should have done.

But David was evidently accustomed to their manner, and was unconscious
then of everything but his keen desire to know what the plans of the
two armies were, and poured out question after question, without
heeding the impatience of his brothers' answers.

And as he stood talking, there suddenly stood before him the glittering
monster Goliath, and again his challenge rang through the valley; and
as always when Goliath was seen or heard, the men of Israel turned away
and fled in terror. But not so David. He was thrilled at the sight of
the mighty giant and asked the men who stood by him:

"What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine and taketh
away the reproach of Israel? For who is this Philistine that he should
defy the armies of the living God?"

And the men answered him that Saul had promised riches and honour and
his daughter's hand in marriage to him who should kill Goliath.

And Eliab, David's oldest brother, listened while David questioned the
men, and being very angry at David's presence, said bitterly:

"Why camest thou down hither, and with whom hast thou left those few
sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thy
heart, for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle."

But David, instead of showing anger at such an unkind speech, merely
answered:

"What have I _now_ done? Is there not a cause," and paying no further
attention to Eliab, turned away, asking every man he met the same
question he had asked before, until finally his persistency attracted
so much attention, that Saul was told about this lad who was showing
such unusual interest in the rewards to be given for facing Goliath in
battle, and Saul at once sent for David, who by this time was flushed
with excitement, and with the contagious enthusiasm of the battlefield,
and he answered Saul like an old and mighty soldier.

"Let no man's heart fail because of him. Thy servant will go and fight
with this Philistine."

Think of it, a slender inexperienced young shepherd lad taking up a
challenge like that of Goliath!

Saul was astonished at David's words, and exclaimed, "Thou art no