◄ 1 Samuel 17:29 ►
"What have I done now?" said David. "Was it not just a question?"
Study Bible
What have I done now?
This phrase captures David's immediate response to his brother Eliab's anger and criticism. The Hebrew root for "done" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means to do, make, or accomplish. David's question reflects a sense of innocence and bewilderment. Historically, this moment occurs in the Valley of Elah, where the Israelites are encamped against the Philistines. David's rhetorical question suggests that he is often misunderstood or underestimated by his family, a theme that resonates throughout his early life. This phrase invites readers to consider the times they have been wrongly accused or misunderstood, encouraging a response of patience and clarity.

David replied
The act of replying indicates David's willingness to engage and communicate, even in the face of hostility. The Hebrew name "David" (דָּוִד) means "beloved," which is significant as it underscores his favored status with God despite human opposition. David's reply is not just a defense but a demonstration of his character—bold, yet respectful. This interaction foreshadows David's future as a leader who listens and responds wisely, a quality that is essential for those called to lead according to God's will.

Was it not just a question?
This phrase highlights David's intent and the simplicity of his inquiry. The Hebrew word for "question" is "דָּבָר" (dabar), which can also mean word, matter, or thing. David's question was about the reward for defeating Goliath, a matter of great importance to the Israelite camp. His inquiry reflects a deeper curiosity and concern for Israel's plight, not mere idle chatter. This phrase challenges believers to consider the motives behind their questions and to seek understanding and truth, even when faced with skepticism or criticism.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The youngest son of Jesse, anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. At this point, he is a shepherd and a musician in Saul's court.

2. Eliab
David's eldest brother, who is serving in King Saul's army. He is present at the battlefield where Goliath is challenging the Israelites.

3. The Valley of Elah
The location where the Philistine army, led by Goliath, is encamped against the Israelites.

4. Goliath
A giant Philistine warrior who defies the armies of Israel, challenging them to send a champion to fight him.

5. Israelite Army
The forces of Israel, led by King Saul, who are intimidated by Goliath's challenge.
Teaching Points
Courage in the Face of Criticism
David's response to Eliab's criticism shows his focus on God's mission rather than human approval. We should remain steadfast in our purpose, even when misunderstood by others.

The Power of Questions
David's question highlights the importance of seeking understanding and challenging the status quo. Asking the right questions can lead to greater faith and action.

Faith Over Fear
David's willingness to confront Goliath stems from his faith in God rather than fear of man. We are called to trust in God's power over our circumstances.

Family Dynamics and God's Calling
David's interaction with Eliab reminds us that family may not always understand or support our divine calling. We must prioritize God's voice over familial expectations.

Preparation for Greater Battles
David's past experiences as a shepherd prepared him for this moment. God uses our everyday experiences to equip us for future challenges.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's response to Eliab's criticism reflect his character and faith in God?

2. In what ways can asking questions deepen our understanding of God's will in our lives?

3. How can we apply David's example of faith over fear in our own challenges today?

4. What lessons can we learn from David's family dynamics about following God's calling despite opposition?

5. How can our past experiences prepare us for the spiritual battles we face in life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 16
Provides context for David's anointing by Samuel and his introduction to Saul's court, setting the stage for his encounter with Goliath.

Psalm 27:1
Reflects David's faith and confidence in God, which is evident in his willingness to face Goliath despite his brothers' skepticism.

Matthew 5:11-12
Jesus speaks about being misunderstood and persecuted for righteousness, similar to David's experience with his brothers.
Sermons
The Giant Sin of EnglandW. W. Champneys, M. A.1 Samuel 17:29
Self-ConquestB. Dale 1 Samuel 17:19-31
Three Victories in One DayB. Dale 1 Samuel 17:29, 37-39, 45-47
People
Abinadab, Abner, David, Elah, Eliab, Ephah, Goliath, Israelites, Jesse, Saul, Shammah
Places
Azekah, Bethlehem, Ekron, Ephes-dammim, Gath, Jerusalem, Shaaraim, Socoh, Valley of Elah
Topics
Can't, Cause, David, Laid, Question, Speak
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 17:20-51

     5658   boys

Library
The victory of Unarmed Faith
'And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 33. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 34. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock; 35. And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

April the Thirtieth the Test of victory
"David behaveth himself wisely." --1 SAMUEL xvii. 55--xviii. 5. The hour of victory is a more severe moral test than the hour of defeat. Many a man can brave the perils of adversity who succumbs to the seductions of prosperity. He can stand the cold better than the heat! He is enriched by failure, but "spoilt by success." To test the real quality of a man, let us regard him just when he has slain Goliath! "David behaved himself wisely"! He was not "eaten up with pride." He developed no "side." …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

April the Twenty-Ninth the Mood of Triumph
"I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts." --1 SAMUEL xvii. 38-54. The man who comes up to his foes with this assurance will fight and win. Reasonable confidence is one of the most important weapons in the warrior's armoury. Fear is always wasteful. The man who calmly expects to win has already begun to conquer. Our mood has so much to do with our might. And therefore does the Word of God counsel us to attend to our dispositions, lest, having carefully collected our material implements, …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The Call of David.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone."--1 Samuel xvii. 50. These words, which are taken from the chapter which you heard read just now in the course of the Service[1], declare the victory which David, the man after God's own heart, gained over Goliath, who came out of the army of the Philistines to defy the Living God; and they declare the manner of his gaining it. He gained it with a sling and with a stone; that is, by means, which to man might seem weak and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

How David Prevailed.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine!"--1 SAMUEL xvii. 50. Yes, he did, but he would not have done so if he had remained as quiet as the other Israelites. David was one of those who could not be easy so long as the enemies of his country were in the ascendant. To see a Philistine strutting about, defying the armies of the living God, was more than he could bear. Is not this the spirit which should animate Christians to-day? It is not one GOLIATH merely, there are many. DRUNKENNESS, PROFANITY, …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
John Knox, the great Scottish reformer, was born at Giffordgate, four miles from Haddington, Scotland, in 1505. He first made his appearance as a preacher in Edinburgh, where he thundered against popery, but was imprisoned and sent to the galleys in 1546. In 1547 Edward VI secured his release and made him a royal chaplain, when he acquired the friendship of Cranmer and other reformers. On the accession of Mary (1553) he took refuge on the Continent. In 1556 he accepted the charge of a church in Geneva, …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I

Hwochow Women's Bible Training School
COURSE OF STUDY FIRST TERM Book of Genesis. Gospel according to St. Luke or St. Mark. Acts of the Apostles, chapters i. to ix. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible." Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese Character. Arithmetic. Singing and Memorisation of Hymns. SECOND TERM Book of Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Samuel i. to xvi. The Gospel according to St. John. The Epistle of St James. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible"--(continued). Reading …
A. Mildred Cable—The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

The Shepherd-King
'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel! fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons. 2. And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
1 Samuel 17:29 NIV
1 Samuel 17:29 NLT
1 Samuel 17:29 ESV
1 Samuel 17:29 NASB
1 Samuel 17:29 KJV

1 Samuel 17:29 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Samuel 17:28
Top of Page
Top of Page