Bible Strands
1 Samuel 17:29
“What have I done now?” said David. “Was it not just a question?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David responds to his brother Eliab’s angry accusation after being overheard speaking to the Israelite troops. He speaks in the camp while defending his recent inquiry about the battle’s prize.
The words — The Hebrew דָּבָר הֲלוֹא (da.Var ha./Lo') literally translates to “is it not a word?” or “was it not just a question?” David pairs this with מֶה עָשִׂיתִי עַתָּה (meh 'a.Si.ti 'A.tah) to ask, “What have I done now?”
The thread — This defensive posture parallels Proverbs 15:1, where measured speech prevents escalation, and mirrors Acts 11:2, where believers are questioned about their conduct. It also anticipates 1 Peter 3:9, which commands blessing rather than retaliation when confronted with hostility.
Why it lands — The passage records David’s literal inquiry about his guilt before any external judgment of his motives is applied. It requires readers to separate the factual content of his speech from the assumptions others project onto it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
Cross-references
- 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.
- Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Acts 11:2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him
- 1 Corinthians 2:15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.