Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 17:29
And David said, What have I now done? [Is there] not a cause?
29. Is there not a cause ] A sufficient cause for his coming, namely, his father’s command. But probably the words mean, “Is it not a [mere] word?” i.e. “May I not ask a harmless question?”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Is there not a cause? – i. e., is not Sauls promise, and the insolence of Goliath, a sufficent cause for what I am about to do?
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
1Sa 17:29
Is there not a cause.
The giant sin of England
Surely there was a cause. Davids was not intemperate zeal, nor his anger causeless or unprovoked. It was time even for the holy shepherd to play the warrior, when God was thus openly dishonoured and His cause despised. What is the state of this Christian land now? Is there not a sin, an ancient enemy of Gods church, a bold and bitter opposer of His Gospel, which has poured in upon our land like a flood, and dares us to the teeth, and almost courts opposition? Is there not a giant champion of the devils host, that stalks forth before its fellows, and seems to challenge the soldiers of the cross and defy Gods Christian Israel? Has not drunkenness invaded this our land, spread itself throughout the length and breadth of it, and set up its banners for tokens? Is there not then a cause why professing Christians should bestir themselves to save and purify their land from this foul and destroying army?
I. The spread of drunkenness. This fearful sin is widely spread through our land.
II. Let us consider its effects.
1. What are its effects upon the soul? It is a dark cloud about the soul, that hides God from it–that shuts out the light of His Holy Spirit, that would shine into the darkness. It hardens the heart, that it cannot feel. It sears the conscience as with a hot iron (Hos 4:11). Even natural kindness is extinguished.
2. Now mark its effects upon the mind.
3. Now mark its effects upon the body.
4. Mark next its effects on the estate.
III. And what can be done the gospel of the grace of God can change it, and that alone. (W. W. Champneys, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 29. Is there not a cause?] halo dabar hu. I believe the meaning is what several of the versions express: I have spoken but a word. And should a man be made an offender for a word?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Either,
1. Of my coming; my father sent me on an errand. Or rather,
2. Of my thus speaking: is there not reason in what I say? Is this giant invincible? is our God unable to oppose him, and subdue him?
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(29) Is there not a cause?David answers his jealous and over-bearing elder brother with all gentleness and forbearance, but he does not cease to make his inquiries of the soldiers respecting the giant, nor does he refrain from loudly expressing his astonishment at such a public insult to the God of Israel being allowed to continue for so many days. The Hebrew here would be more literally rendered, Is it not a word, or It was only a word, thus deprecating his elder brothers anger. What have I done? It was but a mere word. I was only speaking with holy anger about this impious challenge of the Philistine; nothing more. The ancient versions thus understand this clause.
If we render as the Authorised Version, then the sense is quite clear. You seem bitterly displeased with my zeal in this matter, but surely, is there not a good cause for my passionate emotion heresuch an insult to our God?
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
29. Is there not a cause Literally, Is not that word ? What wrong have I committed? Is not that word that simple inquiry allowable? He thought his brother very sensitive.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 17:29. What have I now done? Is there not a cause What have I done, I have only just spoken a word. Houbigant.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
DISCOURSE: 301
DAVIDS VINDICATION OF HIMSELF
1Sa 17:29. And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
IT is impossible for any man so to conduct himself in this world, as to avoid censure: but it is desirable so to act, as not to deserve censure. The rule prescribed for us, in Scripture, is this: Be ye blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world [Note: Php 2:15.]. Like our blessed Lord, we must expect to have our words and actions misconstrued by wicked men: but we should labour to be able to say, with him, Which of you convinceth me of sin [Note: Joh 8:46.]? The appeal which David makes to his indignant brother, in my text, is precisely that, which, when blamed by any one for an action that has offended him, we should be prepared to make: What have I now done that was deserving of blame? or what have I done, which was not called for by the circumstances in which I was placed?
Let me,
I.
Unfold to you Davids vindication of himselfMark,
1.
The blame imputed to him
[He had been sent, by his father, to inquire after the welfare of his brethren; and he had executed his office with all practicable expedition [Note: ver. 20, 22.]. But, whilst David was conversing with his brethren, Goliath came in front of the Israelitish army, as he had done both morning and evening for forty successive days, to challenge any individual to single combat. David heard his impious defiance, not of Israel only, but of Israels God, and was filled with indignation against him: and, having heard what honours Saul had engaged to confer on any one who should encounter this giant, he expressed his willingness to undertake the task, and to risk his own life in defence of his king and country. Not that he conceived himself able to cope with this mighty man: but he knew that God was all-sufficient for those who should trust in him; and he doubted not, but that God would give him the victory over this insulting foe.
For this his brother Eliab severely reproved him, imputing his professed zeal to pride and vanity, and a desire to see the battle, which was at that very instant about to commence. He reflected on him, too, as having deserted his proper post, and as neglecting his proper duty; though he knew the end for which he had come thither, and by whom he had been sent.]
2.
His vindication of himself
[Lovely was the spirit of David on this occasion. He did not render evil for evil, and railing for railing; but, with meekness and modesty, and yet with a firmness expressive of conscious innocence, he appealed to all around him: What have I now done? Is there not a cause? Have I manifested a grief of heart that my nation should be so insulted, and an indignation of mind that Jehovah himself should be thus defied? Have I expressed a willingness to expose my life in the service of my king, my country, and my God; and is evil to be imputed to me for this? Is there any thing in this deserving of blame? Besides, Is there not a cause for what I have said and done? Does not the insolence of this haughty champion call for it? Does not the dispirited state of my own countrymen require it? Does not, also, the honour of my God demand it? And is there any time to be lost? In the space of another hour this gigantic foe may be out of reach; or the battle may have begun; and the time for honouring my God, and benefiting my country, may be for ever lost? Why, then, am I to have all manner of evil imputed to me, for that which is in itself most commendable, and which the occasion so imperatively demands?]
David being undoubtedly an example to us in this matter, I shall,
II.
Take occasion from it to vindicate those who stand forth as champions in the Christian cause
They, in their place, must expect to incur censure from an ungodly world
[Their conduct will be condemned, as unbecoming in persons of their age and station: it will be traced also to pride, and conceit, and vanity, as its real source: and it will be represented as an occasion and a plea for neglecting their proper business in life. The Christian that will serve his Lord and Master with fidelity, shall be sure to meet with some measure of the treatment to which the Saviour himself was subjected: If they call the Master of the house Beelzebub, let not those of his household hope that they shall be suffered to escape reproach. Even the friends and relatives of a Christian, and especially if he be young, will be among the first to vent their indignation against him: Why should he be singular, and venture to adopt a conduct not sanctioned by his superiors? Why should he, by his indiscreet forwardness, cast a reflection upon all his brethren as wanting in zeal? Why does he not content himself with discharging his own proper duties, without interfering in matters that are too high for him? What can actuate him in all this, but a vain desire of distinction, or an hypocritical pretension to qualities which he does not possess? In this way shall not his actions only, but his motives also, be judged by those who have not the courage or the piety to follow his example.]
But the faithful Christian may adopt the very appeal which David made to those who censured him
[What have I now done, that calls for this reproof? to be condemned for manifesting a love to God, and a desire to wipe away the reproach that is cast on Israel? When I see the great adversary of God and man exulting in his might, and putting to flight all the armies of Israel, is it wrong in me to enter the lists against him, and to enroll myself as a soldier of Jesus Christ, to maintain his cause? What, if I be weak and incompetent to the task, is it any evil to confide in God, and to believe that he will perfect his strength in my weakness? Methinks, in an undertaking like this, I should meet with encouragement rather than reproof: for in all that I do, in fighting the Lords battles, I do only what is the duty of every living man, whether he be old or young, and whether he be rich or poor.
I ask too, Is there not a cause for all that I have done? Does not the great enemy of God and man carry, as it were, all before him? Is there not a want of bold and intrepid soldiers to face him? Do not even the armies of Gods Israel need to be encouraged by some bright example? Does not the king of Israel, by exceeding great and precious promises, call us to the conflict? and will not the honour that he will award to us be a rich recompence for our utmost exertions? As for David, he might have been preserved, though all his brethren had perished: but who shall live, if he forbear to fight the good fight of faith? Surely, if Gods honour be impugned; if his enemies triumph; if we, in our very baptism, engaged ourselves to be soldiers of Jesus Christ, and to fight under his banners; if there be no safety for us but in fighting; and if eternal happiness depend on our maintaining the conflict till we have gained the victory; then is there a cause for our most strenuous efforts; and all blame must attach, not to us, who fight, but to those who decline, and discountenance, the combat.]
Application
1.
Let none be discouraged from engaging in the service of Christ
[You must expect to endure hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, and that your greatest foes will be those of your own household. You know that a martial spirit is infused with care into the minds of those who enlist into the armies of an earthly prince: and shall not the same pervade those who have undertaken to fight the Lords battles? I say then to all of you, Offer yourselves as volunteers in His service: fear no danger to which you may be exposed: and rely altogether upon Him who has called you to this warfare. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might: and fear not but that you shall be more than conquerors, through Him who loved you.]
2.
In maintaining your steadfastness, look well to your own spirit
[Persons do harm when they vindicate themselves in an unbecoming temper and spirit. We are to instruct in meekness them that oppose themselves. A soft answer turneth away wrath [Note: Pro 15:1.]: and he who ruleth well his own spirit, is greater than he who taketh a city [Note: Pro 25:28.]. It is impossible not to admire the spirit of David on this occasion: let it be transfused into your minds; and, instead of being overcome of evil, learn, under the most trying circumstances, to overcome evil with good.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
“Is there not a cause?” 1Sa 17:29 .
Yet the man himself may not be able to explain it. We have seen again and again that it is possible even for rational men to be unable to give reasons for certain parts of their conduct. There is an inworking mystery, a subtle mysterious action of mind upon mind, spirit upon spirit, leading to results which cannot be accounted for by logical processes. On the other hand, we must guard ourselves against the mastery of mere impulse, never supposing that because we feel impelled in a certain direction therefore the direction is right. We should not forget the art and the duty of self-analysis, and if ever we find that obedience to an impulse results to our material advantage, then we are entitled to suspect the inspiration of that impulse. When an impulse carries a man away to become a missionary, a hero, a subject of personal sacrifice; when it inflicts upon him great inconvenience, disadvantage, and even loss; when it drags him forth to a place called Golgotha; we may begin to feel that he is in reality following an impulse other than human. We are not to walk in the line of our inclination, which is always a treacherous course, but to walk in that line which involves great self-denial, and an increasing sense of the necessity of absolute dependence upon the living God.
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker
1Sa 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? [Is there] not a cause?
Ver. 29. What have I now done? ] sc., Worthy of so great blame: thus he answereth his elder brother with “meekness of wisdom,” and giving place to wrath, whilst he defendeth his own wronged innocency.
Is there not a cause?
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Pro 15:1, Act 11:2-4, 1Co 2:15, 1Pe 3:9
Reciprocal: Gen 31:26 – What 1Sa 26:18 – what have I 1Sa 29:8 – But what have 1Ch 27:18 – Elihu Est 4:14 – for such a time Psa 131:1 – my heart Mat 26:8 – they Joh 12:4 – one
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 17:29. David said, Is there not a cause? Of my thus speaking? Is this giant invincible? Is our God unable to oppose him, and subdue him? However, David is not deterred from his undertaking by the hard words of Eliab. They that undertake public services must not think it strange if they be opposed by those from whom they had reason to expect assistance; but must humbly go on with their work, in the face, not only of their enemies threats, but of their friends slights, suspicions, and censures.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
17:29 And David said, What have I now done? [Is there] not a {i} cause?
(i) For his father’s sending was a just occasion, and also he felt himself inwardly moved by God’s Spirit.