Eliab asks this to accuse David of irresponsibility and neglect of duty. By emphasizing ‘those few sheep,’ Eliab minimizes David’s actual responsibilities while simultaneously suggesting David has abandoned even this small task. The question format allows Eliab to imply guilt without stating it directly, forcing David to account for his stewardship and suggesting he is both a negligent shepherd and a presumptuous intruder.

David responded, ‘What have I done now? Is there not a cause?’ (1 Samuel 17:29). He then turned away from Eliab toward others to continue his inquiry about Goliath’s challenge.

Eliab’s second question compounds his accusation by challenging David’s responsibility. The dismissive phrase ‘those few sheep’ reveals Eliab’s contempt for David’s calling and his attempt to minimize David’s role. Why phrase this as a question rather than a direct accusation? The interrogative form ‘with whom have you left’ (al-mi natashta) implies David has no good answer, that he has abandoned his post without proper arrangements. This rhetorical strategy allows Eliab to insinuate irresponsibility while appearing concerned about the sheep. The deeper issue is Eliab’s inability to recognize that God often chooses faithful shepherds of ‘few sheep’ to lead His people, a pattern running from Abel through Moses to Christ Himself.