1 Samuel 17:29

29 et dixit David quid feci numquid non verbum est

1 Samuel 17:29 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 17:29

And David said, what have I now done?
&c.] That is criminal and blameworthy; as if he should say, I have only expressed an indignation against this uncircumcised Philistine, and a concern for the glory of God, and the honour of the people of Israel:

[is there] not a cause?
either for his coming to the camp, being sent by his father; or of his expressing himself with indignation at the Philistine's defiance of the armies of Israel. Some take the sense to be, that he had done nothing, he had not committed any fact; it was mere words what he had said, he had attempted nothing, and therefore there was no reason to bear so hard upon him; to this purpose is the Targum,

``what have I done as yet? is it not a word "only" which I have spoken?''

but the former sense seems best.

1 Samuel 17:29 In-Context

27 referebat autem ei populus eundem sermonem dicens haec dabuntur viro qui percusserit eum

28 quod cum audisset Heliab frater eius maior loquente eo cum aliis iratus est contra David et ait quare venisti et quare dereliquisti pauculas oves illas in deserto ego novi superbiam tuam et nequitiam cordis tui quia ut videres proelium descendisti

29 et dixit David quid feci numquid non verbum est

30 et declinavit paululum ab eo ad alium dixitque eundem sermonem et respondit ei populus verbum sicut et prius

31 audita sunt autem verba quae locutus est David et adnuntiata in conspectu Saul