David's Cheeses, the Surety of Judah, and Seven Beasts He Slew

"And these ten cheeses, etc." (1 Samuel 17:18) — these are young kids removed from their mothers. "And look to the welfare of your brothers" (ibid.) — a token of them. "And take their pledge" (ibid.) — their surety. Rabbi Yehudah son of Rabbi Simon said: The tribes of Judah are accustomed to being sureties one for another, as you say, "I will be surety for him, etc." (Genesis 43:9). "Your servant smote both the lion and the bear" (1 Samuel 17:36). It was taught in the name of Rabbi Natan: Four lions and three bears did David smite on that day. This is what is written: "a lion," "the lion," "the lion," "also the lion"; "a bear," "the bear," "and the bear."