And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

1 SAMUEL 17:18KJV
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1 Samuel 17:18 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 17:18 mean?

In 1 Samuel 17:18, Jesse sends his son David to the army camp with food for an officer and instructions to find out how his brothers are doing. Jesse also wants David to bring back a “pledge,” a token connected with his brothers’ welfare.

The officer is the captain over a thousand soldiers. Jesse’s request comes after he has told David to take food to his brothers (verse 17). The “pledge” is often understood as something that would give Jesse assurance about them.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 17:18

  • “fare” — שָׁלוֹם (shalom): The word can mean peace or well-being. Jesse is asking about his sons’ welfare, not simply what they are doing.
  • “pledge” — עֲרֻבָּה (ʿarubbah): The word can refer to a pledge or security. Here it is often understood as a token or assurance that David could bring back concerning his brothers.

Why 1 Samuel 17:18 matters

  • David’s journey begins as an errand from his father. The instruction to visit his brothers helps explain why he reaches the army camp, where he later hears Goliath’s challenge (verses 20–23).
  • The gift is addressed to an officer, not to David’s brothers. The “ten cheeses” go to the captain, while the food mentioned in verse 17 is for the brothers.

Where else these words appear

“pledge” Hebrew H6161 · used in 2 verses

  • Proverbs 17:18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

“cheeses” Hebrew H2757 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Samuel 12:31 And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
  • 1 Chronicles 20:3 And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

“cheeses” Hebrew H2461 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 11:9 And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
  • Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.