Even before he was summoned to the court of Saul, David had distinguished himself by deeds of valor. The officer who brought him to the notice of the king declared him to be "a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters," and he said, "The Lord is with him."

David havde allerede udmærket sig ved sin tapperhed, inden han blev kaldt op til Sauls hof. Den tjener, der henledte kongens opmærksomhed på ham, betegnede ham som "en dygtig kriger, en øvet krigsmand" og tilføjede: "Herren er med ham."