1 Samuel 17:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And David said, "What have I done now? Was it not but a word?"

NIV: "Now what have I done?" said David. "Can’t I even speak?"

NASB: But David said, 'What have I done now? Was it not just a question?'

CSB: "What have I done now?" protested David. "It was just a question."

NLT: What have I done now?' David replied. 'I was only asking a question!'

KJV: And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

NKJV: And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?”

David's oldest brother is furious with him. Eliab has lashed out at David to try to put the younger man in his place (1 Samuel 17:28). David has only just arrived at the battle front of Israel's standoff with the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:1–3, 19) as a delivery boy (1 Samuel 17:17–18). David has heard the taunts of the Philistine champion (1 Samuel 17:23), which Eliab and Israel's army have endured for over a month (1 Samuel 17:16). No one from Israel's army has volunteered to fight the huge warrior (1 Samuel 17:4–10), despite the promise of a substantial reward from the king (1 Samuel 17:25). Neither have King Saul nor his heroic son Jonathan stepped up to take on Goliath. The fight seems unwinnable and the Israelites are terrified (1 Samuel 17:11, 24).

But when David hears the threat, he asks what will be done for the man who kills Goliath (1 Samuel 17:27). He highlights the shameful situation Israel's army is in. He also wonders who this Philistine thinks he is to challenge the armies of the living God. The godless man is no match for the God of Israel. Is Eliab's kid brother really suggesting that he could possibly defeat the champion of the Philistines in one-on-one combat? Eliab has called David a presumptuous thrill-seeker who has only come to be close to the excitement of battle (1 Samuel 17:28).

Now David responds as younger siblings have done throughout earth's history, "What have I done now?" David asks something like "wasn't it just a word?" Commentators disagree on the meaning behind this statement. Some understand David to be saying something like, "I was just asking" or "Can't I even talk?" Others think the youthful David is insisting that he is asking about something important and genuinely wanted to understand.

First Samuel 17:24–30 records David's reaction to Goliath's taunting. David is merely visiting his older brothers as the Israelite and Philistine armies watch each other across a valley. Goliath is massive, and the Israelite soldiers are afraid to face him in single combat. David's oldest brother scolds him for asking about what rewards will be given to the one who defeats Goliath. This will catch the attention of King Saul.

David, delivering food to his brothers at the Israelite army camp, hears the Philistine Goliath's defiant challenge. Single man combat could decide the battle, but no Israelite wanted to face the massive warrior. David is appalled that a Philistine would defy the armies of the living God. He volunteers to fight, and King Saul agrees. Before the battle, David declares that the Lord will give victory and thereby show the world that there is a God in Israel. David quickly kills and beheads Goliath. The Israelites chase the Philistines back to their own territory and plunder their camp. David brings Goliath's head to Saul.

Saul was made king of Israel (1 Samuel 9—10) and had many early successes (1 Samuel 11—14). However, his disobedience resulted in God's plan for a different king (1 Samuel 15). The prophet Samuel anointed David as this future monarch (1 Samuel 16:11–13). David has been serving as a musician for Saul (1 Samuel 16:18–21) and comes visit his brothers during a standoff between Israelite and Philistine forces. This leads to the famous story of David and Goliath. David's victory publicly triggers his rise to power, paralleled by Saul's collapse. In the end, Saul will die in disgrace (1 Samuel 31:4–7) and David will be appointed the new king of Israel (1 Samuel 2:45:1–3).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.