1 Samuel 17:29
 1 Samuel 17:29 
New International Version (©2011)
"Now what have I done?" said David. "Can't I even speak?"

New Living Translation (©2007)
"What have I done now?" David replied. "I was only asking a question!"

English Standard Version (©2001)
And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But David said, "What have I done now? Was it not just a question?"

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
"What have I done now?" protested David. "It was just a question."

International Standard Version (©2012)
"What have I done now?" David asked. "It was just a question, wasn't it?"

NET Bible (©2006)
David replied, "What have I done now? Can't I say anything?"

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
"What have I done now?" David snapped at him. "Didn't I [merely] ask a question?"

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And David said, What have I now done? Is it not a word?

American King James Version
And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

American Standard Version
And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

Douay-Rheims Bible
And David said: What have I done? is there not cause to speak?

Darby Bible Translation
And David said, What have I now done? Was it not laid upon me?

English Revised Version
And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

Webster's Bible Translation
And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

World English Bible
David said, "What have I now done? Is there not a cause?"

Young's Literal Translation
And David saith, 'What have I done now? is it not a word?'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

17:12-30 Jesse little thought of sending his son to the army at that critical juncture; but the wise God orders actions and affairs, so as to serve his designs. In times of general formality and lukewarmness, every degree of zeal which implies readiness to go further, or to venture more in the cause of God than others, will be blamed as pride and ambition, and by none more than by near relations, like Eliab, or negligent superiors. It was a trial of David's meekness, patience, and constancy. He had right and reason on his side, and did not render railing for railing; with a soft answer he turned away his brother's wrath. This conquest of his own passion was more honourable than that of Goliath. Those who undertake great and public services, must not think it strange if they are spoken ill of, and opposed by those from whom they expect support and assistance. They must humbly go on with their work, in the face not only of enemies' threats, but of friends' slights and suspicions.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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 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 Parallel Commentaries

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David Accepts the Challenge
28And Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why came you down here? and with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride, and the naughtiness of your heart; for you are come down that you might see the battle. 29And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? 30And he turned from him toward another, and spoke after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

1 Samuel 17:28 When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle."
1 Samuel 17:30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before.