What does 1 Samuel 17:17 mean?

The Philistines and Israelites are gathered for war around the Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:1–3). A man from Bethlehem, Jesse, has eight sons. His three oldest are with the Israelite army. His youngest, David, goes back and forth between tending the family sheep and assisting King Saul (1 Samuel 17:12–15). Though Saul still held the position of king in Israel, God had rejected him (1 Samuel 15:22–29). The prophet Samuel anointed David to be the next king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1–13), but it would be at least ten more years before David assumed the throne. In the meantime, God's Spirit was present with David, and others could tell. God also provided a way for David to enter into King Saul's service, where he no doubt learned valuable lessons (1 Samuel 16:14–23). At this time, it seems David is under age twenty since he was not in military service. Here, David's father sends the young man to the field of battle to bring food and check in on his brothers.

Some commentators suggest that when the army was not too far away, the people of the surrounding communities participated in providing food and other necessities to support the troops. Bethlehem was about fourteen miles from the location of battle. Whatever the case, Jesse's care for his sons is evident through his provision for them and desire to know how they are faring. The elderly father sends David with bread and grain, along with cheese (1 Samuel 17:18). The grain, likely wheat or barley, was parched by roasting it in an iron pan. Roasted grain lasted longer, making it an ideal meal for travel or soldiers at war. Parched grain was a staple during this era in Israel (2 Samuel 17:28; Leviticus 23:14; Ruth 2:14).