1 Samuel 17:29

29 And David said, What have I done? Whether it is not but a word? (Did I not just ask 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 Forsooth the people told to him the same word, and said, These things shall be given to the man that slayeth him.

28 And when Eliab, his more brother/the elder brother of David, had heard this, while he spake with other men, he was wroth against David, and said, Why camest thou hither, and why hast thou left those few sheep in desert, (and why hast thou left those few sheep back in the wilderness)? I know thy pride, and the waywardness of thine heart; for thou camest down to see the battle.

29 And David said, What have I done? Whether it is not but a word? (Did I not just ask a question?)

30 And David went thence a little from him to another man; and David said the same word, and the people answered to him the word as they did before (and David asked the same question, and the people gave him the same answer).

31 And the words were heard, that David spake, and they were told before Saul. And when David was brought to Saul,