1 Samuel 17:29 web — 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?""

— 1 Samuel 17:29, World English Bible

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1 Samuel 17:29 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 17 — Context

26

David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done to the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

27

The people answered him in this way, saying, "So shall it be done to the man who kills him."

28

Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, "Why have you come down? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride, and the naughtiness of your heart; for you have come down that you might see the battle."

29

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

30

He turned away from him toward another, and spoke like that again; and the people answered him again the same way.

31

When the words were heard which David spoke, they rehearsed them before Saul; and he sent for him.

32

David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."

1 Samuel 17:29 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 17:29 say?
1 Samuel 17:29 in the World English Bible reads: “David said, "What have I now done? Is there not a cause?"”
Where is 1 Samuel 17:29 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 17:29 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 17, verse 29.
Who wrote 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 1 Samuel about?
1 Samuel marks Israel's transition from judges to kings. It traces the births and ministries of the prophet Samuel, the rise and tragic fall of Saul as Israel's first king, and the anointing of the shepherd boy David, whose faith makes him a man after God's own heart.
What are the major themes of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel explores themes including Kingship, Prophet, Faith vs. Fear, God's Sovereign Choice, Anointing. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Samuel 17:29.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 17:29 in?
1 Samuel 17:29 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Samuel 17:29?
1 Samuel 17:29 reads (WEB): “David said, "What have I now done? Is there not a cause?"” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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