1 Samuel 17:29
1 Samuel 17:29 in Multiple Translations
“What have I done now?” said David. “Was it not just a question?”
And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
And David said, What have I done now? was it not only a word?
“What have I done now?” David asked. “Can't I even ask a question?”
Then Dauid sayde, What haue I nowe done? Is there not a cause?
And David saith, 'What have I done now? is it not a word?'
David said, “What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”
And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
And David said: What have I done? is there not cause to speak?
David replied, “Have I done something wrong? I was merely asking a question!”
David asked, “Why are you angry with me? What did I do wrong? I’m just asking.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 17:29
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 17:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
דָּוִ֔ד
מֶ֥ה
עָשִׂ֖יתִי
עָ֑תָּה
הֲ/ל֖וֹא
דָּבָ֥ר
הֽוּא
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
דָּוִ֔ד
Dâvid
H1732
David
N-proper
מֶ֥ה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
עָשִׂ֖יתִי
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
עָ֑תָּה
ʻattâh
H6258
now
Adv
הֲ/ל֖וֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part | Part
דָּבָ֥ר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms
הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 17:29
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
דָּוִ֔ד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
מֶ֥ה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
עָשִׂ֖יתִי
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
עָ֑תָּה
ʻattâh
H6258
"now"
Adv
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) now 1a) now 1b) in phrases
Usage: Occurs in 422 OT verses. KJV: henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas. See also: Genesis 3:22; Joshua 24:23; 2 Samuel 24:13.
הֲ/ל֖וֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
דָּבָ֥ר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 17:29
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 17:29 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 17:29
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 17:29
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:29
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:29
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:29
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:29
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 17:29
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 17:29
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:29
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 17:29
Context — David Accepts the Challenge
27The people told him about the offer, saying, “That is what will be done for the man who kills him.”
28Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!”
29“What have I done now?” said David. “Was it not just a question?”
30Then he turned from him toward another and asked about the offer, and those people answered him just as the first ones had answered. 31Now David’s words were overheard and reported to Saul, who sent for him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Peter 3:9 | Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. |
| 2 | 1 Corinthians 2:15 | The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. |
| 3 | Proverbs 15:1 | A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
| 4 | Acts 11:2–4 | So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him and said, “You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them.” But Peter began and explained to them the whole sequence of events: |
1 Samuel 17:29 Summary
[In this verse, David is responding to his brother Eliab's angry accusations, and he's asking what he did wrong, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:29. David is being humble and gentle, even in the face of criticism. This is an important lesson for us, as we can learn to respond to difficult situations with calmness and trust in God, just like David did. As it says in Proverbs 15:1, 'A gentle answer turns away wrath,' and this is what David is demonstrating in his response to Eliab.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did David's brother Eliab react so harshly to David's question?
Eliab's reaction was likely due to jealousy and a lack of faith, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:28, where his anger burned against David, similar to the way Cain reacted to Abel in Genesis 4:5-8.
What was David's question that sparked the confrontation with Eliab?
The Bible doesn't specify the exact question David asked, but based on the context of 1 Samuel 17:26-27, it's likely that David was inquiring about the offer made to the man who could defeat Goliath.
How did David respond to Eliab's accusations?
David responded humbly and innocently, asking what he had done wrong, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:29, demonstrating a meek and gentle spirit, similar to what is described in Matthew 5:5.
What can we learn from David's response to Eliab's anger?
We can learn the importance of remaining calm and humble in the face of criticism or accusation, as David did, and trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Proverbs 29:11 and Romans 8:28.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times when you have faced criticism or accusation, and how did you respond?
- How can you apply David's humble and gentle response to your own life, especially in difficult situations?
- What are some ways you can trust in God's sovereignty, even when faced with challenging circumstances, like David did in 1 Samuel 17:29?
- How can you cultivate a meek and gentle spirit, like David's, in your daily life and interactions with others?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 17:29
And David said, what have I now done?.... 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 17:29
And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? - i:e., Is there not force and reason in what I have said?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:29
Either, 1. Of my coming; my father sent me on an errand. Or rather, 2. Of my thus speaking: is there not reason in what I say? Is this giant invincible? is our God unable to oppose him, and subdue him?
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:29
1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? [Is there] not a cause?Ver. 29. What have I now done?] sc., Worthy of so great blame: thus he answereth his elder brother with "meekness of wisdom," and giving place to wrath, whilst he defendeth his own wronged innocency. Is there not a cause?] Or, Have I not business here? and am I not equally concerned as another, in this common cause? "This day is a day of trouble, of rebuke, and of blasphemy," as Isaiah 37:3.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:29
(29) Is there not a cause?—David answers his jealous and over-bearing elder brother with all gentleness and forbearance, but he does not cease to make his inquiries of the soldiers respecting the giant, nor does he refrain from loudly expressing his astonishment at such a public insult to the God of Israel being allowed to continue for so many days. The Hebrew here would be more literally rendered, “Is it not a word,” or “It was only a word,” thus deprecating his elder brother’s anger. “What have I done? It was but a mere word. I was only speaking with holy anger about this impious challenge of the Philistine; nothing more.” The ancient versions thus understand this clause. If we render as the Authorised Version, then the sense is quite clear. “You seem bitterly displeased with my zeal in this matter, but surely, is there not a good cause for my passionate emotion here—such an insult to our God?”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:29
Verse 29. Is there not a cause?] הלוא דבר הוא halo dabar hu. I believe the meaning is what several of the versions express: I have spoken but a word. And should a man be made an offender for a word?
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 17:29
29. Is there not a cause] A sufficient cause for his coming, namely, his father’s command. But probably the words mean, “Is it not a [mere] word?” i.e. “May I not ask a harmless question?”
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 17:29
Is there not a cause? - i. e., is not Saul’s promise, and the insolence of Goliath, a sufficent cause for what I am about to do?
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:29
29. Is there not a cause — Literally, Is not that word —? What wrong have I committed? Is not that word — that simple inquiry — allowable? He thought his brother very sensitive.
Sermons on 1 Samuel 17:29
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Godly Home) Part 23 - Fighting Battles for the Next Generation by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, Brother Denny encourages his audience to have faith and confidence in God, believing that He will do exceedingly and abundantly more than they can ask or think. He |
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A House of Prayer by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the preacher shares various anecdotes and experiences to emphasize the importance of committing our causes to God. He tells a story about a preacher from Argentina |
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The Surprising Ways of God by Otto Koning | In this sermon transcript, the speaker shares his personal testimony of searching for God and finding hope in Jesus Christ. He reflects on his experiences during World War II and t |
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(Depressed Disciples) the Manifold Testings by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having the same mindset as Christ and enduring suffering for the sake of the Gospel. He highlights the contrast between th |
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1 Peter 1 by Robert F. Adcock | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living a life committed to God, even in the face of trials and conflicts with the world. He encourages believers to trust |
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Overcoming Evil With Good by Vernon Helmuth | The sermon titled "Overcome Evil with Good" discusses the principle of responding to evil with good in our lives. The speaker shares that as we grow in our Christian life, God ofte |
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Let Love Be Victorious by Basilea Schlink | In this sermon, Basilias Schlink emphasizes the importance of love and reconciliation in building God's kingdom. He encourages listeners to not be estranged from anyone and to acti |