1 Samuel 17:28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”

The Lord was unhappy with Saul and chose David to become King of Israel. However, at this point in the storyline, no one is really aware of this and David had not yet ascended to the throne.  Saul, who was still King, led his men out to battle.

When the opposing armies assembled, Goliath the champion of the Philistines challenged Israel’s champion and taunted the Israelites and belittled them. Three of David’s brothers were with Saul at his encampment. David’s father, Jesse sent him with food for his brothers. When he reached the camp of Israel, Goliath was again hurling insults. David inquired what was going on. His older brother verbally blasted him.

The odd thing is, someone who should love David and know him best, accuses him of having an evil heart. Yet the Bible says that he was a man after God’s own heart. Eliab says he ignored the family’s sheep and came because he was conceited. Yet it was only because their father sent him that David was there. Finally he is accused of coming only to watch the battle. Yet no battle was going on. The Israelities, including David’s brothers were too afraid of Goliath. It would be David who would face Goliath with a sling and a stone.

We are often misjudged by others and misunderstood by people closest to us.  However, in the end, really only matters what God thinks of us (and what we think of God).