And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, 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 thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him talking to the men, he became angry with David and said, 'Why did you come down here? And who did you leave those few sheep with in the wilderness? I know your pride and the evil in your heart - you only came down here to watch the battle.'
David's older brother Eliab angrily accuses him of being prideful and irresponsible, claiming David only came to the battlefield out of curiosity rather than duty.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during the famous confrontation between the Israelites and Philistines, where the giant Goliath was challenging Israel's army daily. David had come to bring food to his brothers who were soldiers, but upon hearing Goliath's taunts, he began asking questions about fighting the giant. Eliab, as the eldest brother, likely felt embarrassed by his younger brother's boldness in front of the other soldiers.
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