1 Samuel 17:29

29 And 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 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, "So shall it be done to the man who killeth him."

28 And Eliab, his eldest brother, heard when he spoke unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David and he said, "Why camest thou down hither? And with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the willfulness of thine heart, for thou hast come down that thou mightest see the battle."

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

30 And he turned from him toward another and spoke in the same manner; and the people answered him again in the former manner.

31 And when the words were heard which David spoke, they recounted them before Saul; and he sent for him.