1 Samuel 17:29

29 “What have I done now?” David replied. “I was only asking a question!”

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 And these men gave David the same reply. They said, “Yes, that is the reward for killing him.”

28 But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!”

29 “What have I done now?” David replied. “I was only asking a question!”

30 He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer.

31 Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him.