1 Samuel 17:29

29 David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

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 The people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man who kills him.

28 Eli'av his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eli'av's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why are you come down? and with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride, and the naughtiness of your heart; for you have come down that you might see the battle.

29 David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

30 He turned away from him toward another, and spoke after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

31 When the words were heard which David spoke, they rehearsed them before Sha'ul; and he sent for him.