When I watch the David animated movie and observe Eliab closer, I always notice that in a certain light, Eliab looks like he has some kind of line on both sides of his face. They are so, so faint you have to really look to see them. Are they scars? And if so what on earth happened that he ended up with identical scars on each side!? Who knows, they could also be, like, really unique symmetrical birthmarks. Or maybe I'm just crazy and seeing things, but I just can't help but feel like he has some kind of marks on his face. What do you think?
Based on the animated movie David, here are some headcanons for David's oldest brother, Eliab.
-Note: Characterizations are based on the movie not the actual Bible.
Oldest Child Syndrome
Eliab and Abinadab are close, as they are both the oldest in the family and have been together the longest. Even with teasing and getting frustrated, they still have a deeper understanding of each other. Abinadab still has the urge to knock some sense into him though, and Eliab thinks he's too soft.
Fiercely protective of his mother. He knows how hard she works to keep the household running with 9 children, and gets mad whenever they give her a hard time, intentionally or not.
Overprotective of the family in general.
Played a role in teaching David how to shepherd a flock.
Eliab has always felt older than he is. Even when he was around 10 or so, as his parents relied on him for extra help with the growing family.
Used to have a better relationship with David, but for various reasons, the relationship became more strained. (Think Isabela and Mirabel from Encanto)
Eliab has a silent rivalry with high-ranking officers in Saul's army. He wants to prove that a shepherd's son from Bethlehem can out-soldier the city-bred elites.
Eliab and Zeruiah don't have much a relationship as Eliab was already training and away a lot as a soldier during her formative years and it secretly makes him a little sad.
Psychology Headcanon:
Deep down, Eliab somewhat understands why David was chosen over him. He is more aware that he is prone to pride, jealousy, and lack of empathy than he likes to acknowledge. One of the reasons Eliab started giving David a hard time because he reminds him of the things he doesn't like about himself. He wants to be a good brother and an honorable warrior and find favor from God, but he can never act on it, and he doesn't understand why. He represents the verse Romans 7:15, " I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not, but what I hate I do."
Again, the characterizations are based on the movie not the Bible itself. Please rely on the Bible. This post is for fun. Please enjoy😊
Saw the 2025 animated David movie today, and I absolutely loved it. Since I have a soft spot for complex characters, her is a short fic about the Eliab and his arc. Spoilers if you haven't seen the movie, so beware. Enjoy!
The role of the firstborn was a role Eliab carried with pride. As the oldest of Jesse's sons, he was the one expected to be the strongest, the wisest, and a leader. He shepherd the flock for years, helped the family, and became a soldier in Saul's army, a good one too. By every law of man, the favor of God should have rested on his shoulders.
He hadn't always resented David. In the early years, David was simply the "runt," a wide-eyed, enthusiastic boy who would trip over his own feet following him around, taught how to shepherd a flock and how to skip stones in the creek. Sure there was teasing-the kind of rough-edged prodding only brothers know-and Eliab often rolled his eyes wondering why the boy always seemed so favored by everyone. But there was no bite to it. Not until the day the Prophet Samuel came. Not until David was anointed.
That was the day the fire started to burn. Underneath the sneers Eliab threw at David, there wasn't just jealousy-there was a raw, bleeding insecurity. He wasn't good enough. If God didn't want the strongest son, then what was Eliab's purpose.
The resentment reached a boiling point the night Saul turned on David. Saul and his soldiers not only went after David, but Saul declared that anyone loyal to David was disloyal to him. While fleeing from the spears and flames, David ran into Eliab. Instead of protecting him, Eliab immediately accused David and blamed him for putting the family in danger. He had been so self-righteous. Eliab could still feel the rough wool of David's in his fist as he tried to haul him back, ready to hand him over to Saul, ignoring David's desperate pleas.
It wasn't until he saw David emerge from the cave, a piece of Saul's robe in his hand. David had been close enough to kill the king, yet he had chosen mercy. He had spared the man who had hunted him like an animal.
He saw how Saul embraced David, who embraced him back with such genuine and forgiving love. But then, Saul looked over David's shoulder and caught the eyes of his men. He saw their looks of disapproval, their silent judgement of his weakness. He pushed David away, and left with his army.
It was at that moment Eliab realized what a huge mistake he following Saul, a man he chose over his own brother. To make things worse, an even more horrifying thought had crossed his mind.
He had betrayed his baby brother.
He made the choice to follow his brother, but even then he still had doubts about David's leadership. He didn't even apologize.
Then a new nightmare: the Amalekites had taken their families. Eliab had rounded on David, after David had witnessed his best friend die.
What David did next changed everything.
Eliab had tried to stop him, thinking David must have been insane to go rescue their families and friends from the Amalekites. "I'm a shepherd, Eliab. What can I do but look after my sheep. And I trust my shepherd, to look after me." Those were David's words, so much trust in the Lord.
Eliab, however, dared to doubt.
"What if He doesn't?"
David turned, "I would rather take my chances following the light, then choose living in the dark. Which do you choose, Eliab?"
As Eliab watched his youngest brother disappear in the smoke, was when he finally realized. Eliab had been so caught up in his own plans, with what he thought he deserved, that he had missed what God was doing. He understood why David was chosen now.
(REWRITE) Hello, this is my OC character profile for the How To Train Your Dragon books. A Series I was obsessed with and still have a deep love for. I hope you enjoy, and now I'll introduce to you...
~Raina~
- BASIC INFO
Name: Raina
Tribe: StormHaven (Original Tribe)
Occupation: Healer/Medic
Age: 13-17 (throughout the books)
Dragon: A Long-eared caretaker dragon named Fern
Birthday: January 19
- PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Black hair, hazel eyes, pale skin
- PERSONALITY
Intelligent
Strong-willed
Compassionate
Independent
Loyal
Confident
Caring
Hardworking
Witty
Feisty
Grounded
- BACKSTORY
Raina is the healer on Berk and the medic of the Pirate Training Program. She wasn't born on Berk, she was born on the island of StormHaven inhabited by a tribe of fierce and intelligent warriors. Raina was the daughter of the chief. She learned everything she knows about healing from her mother, who was a wartime healer before she became chieftess. Her home was attacked by Romans, who slaughtered and enslaved her people. Her mother put her on a boat but she sent Raina out alone so she could hold back a group of Romans coming their way. The Romans slaughtered and enslaved the people of StormHaven. As far as she knows, she's the only one who escaped. Her boat made its way to Berk where she encounterd an injured Gobber. Despite the shock and grief, as well as Gobber's stubbornness, she helped wrap his wound and assist him in walking back to the village.
-STATUS ON BERK
Raina is known to be a valuable but less-than-ideal member of the tribe, at least to the Hairy Hooligans.They respect her skill and like her to a degree, but they treat her like an outsider who should stay in he place. She tries to give advice or point out the injustice of certain customs but they tend to talk over her. However, despite their flaws, Raina deeply cares about them and is fiercly loyal to them.
-RELATIONSHIP WITH PROTAGONISTS
Raina deeply cares for Hiccup and Fishlegs, viewing them as the only sane people in the village. She is very protective of them, and is the first to defend them against bullying. Fishlegs is a regular visitor to her infirmary. She is an older sister figure to them and appreciates them for who they are.
-HUNTING DRAGON
Raina's hunting dragon is a young Long-Eared Caretaker dragon (assuming they are capable hunters) who she named Fern. Fern is a sweet and helpful little dragon who's main role is helping in the infirmary. Of course people judge or tease Raina about her choice of hunting dragon but she honestly couldn't care less.
-OVERALL
Raina is smart, sassy, and independent. She is level-headed and down to earth. She typically acts as the voice of reason, though most tend not to listen to her. Despite her occasional annoyance with the tribe and feisty nature, she genuinely cares about them and is fiercely loyal. She is kind-hearted, a quick thinker, and honest.
-EXTRA INFO/RANDOM FACTS
Great at textiles. Loves weaving, embroidery, etc.
Her mother was a wartime healer before she became queen. That's where Raina learned everything she knows about herbal medicine and healing.
Loves stargazing, though, this is usually when she's feeling melancholy.
While she functions just fine, dealing with the grief of losing her family, home, people, and status is a constant battle. She will always miss her old life. Another internal struggle she deals with is the loss of her status. Not in a spoiled princess way, but in a way everything she was taught and trained for will never come. She loved all the lessons and wisdom she was given and really looked forward to being a good leader. Most of all, she misses her family. Now, she loved being a medic and helping others, but outside of that, all she does is work on textile projects and find things to pass the time. She's just trying to make the best of things.
Not a fact or information, but if her character was a song, it would be Speechless from the live action Aladdin. It makes more sense for the storyline I have in mind for her. Plus, to have a bigger picture on what her character is like, think of characters like Charlotte from Henry Danger.
Has a green thumb. Then again she kind of has to have herbs for medicine and such.
Favorite color is dark blue
Has a temper flares when annoyed and when the novices bully Hiccup and Fishlegs.
Gets picked on too but mostly when she comes to their defense and not with the same severity they have towards Hiccup and Fishlegs.
