1 Chronicles 14 17

1 Chronicles 14:17 kjv

And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

1 Chronicles 14:17 nkjv

Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

1 Chronicles 14:17 niv

So David's fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him.

1 Chronicles 14:17 esv

And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

1 Chronicles 14:17 nlt

So David's fame spread everywhere, and the LORD caused all the nations to fear David.

1 Chronicles 14 verses

1 Chronicles 14 17 Meaning

This verse declares that King David's reputation for strength and success extended across all known regions. Critically, it emphasizes that this widespread fame and the resultant dread felt by other peoples was not merely a consequence of David's military prowess, but a direct, sovereign act of the Lord. God Himself instilled a powerful fear of David in the surrounding nations, solidifying Israel's security and confirming David's divine appointment.

1 Chronicles 14 17 Context

This verse serves as the powerful conclusion to the narrative of David's significant victories over the Philistines after he consolidated his kingship in Jerusalem and successfully brought the Ark of the Covenant into the city (Chr 13-14). Specifically, it follows David's two major victories against the Philistines at Baal-perazim and Gibeon/Gezer (1 Chr 14:8-16), where David faithfully sought God's guidance before each battle. The context highlights David's dependence on the Lord, contrasting with human might. The Chronicler emphasizes God's active involvement in establishing David's throne and ensuring Israel's security, setting the stage for Solomon's reign of peace and the construction of the Temple, as promised in 1 Chronicles 17. The widespread fame of David implicitly fulfills divine promises given to the patriarchs (e.g., Gen 12:2, "I will make your name great") and showcases the Lord's protective hand over His chosen king and nation, asserting His sovereignty over all other earthly powers.

1 Chronicles 14 17 Word analysis

• So: A direct consequence of the preceding events, particularly David's victories achieved through divine guidance and intervention. It establishes a causal link between God's actions and David's burgeoning fame.

• David's fame:

  • The Hebrew word for "fame" is shem (שֵׁם), which translates to "name," "reputation," "character," or "authority." It encompasses more than mere notoriety; it signifies influence, recognition, and the underlying power associated with one's identity. Here, David's shem embodies the recognition of his unique anointing and divine backing.

• spread throughout all lands: Implies a wide geographic reach, suggesting that neighboring kingdoms, not just those immediately bordering Israel, recognized David's ascent and the power behind him. This signifies Israel's growing influence on the geopolitical stage under divine direction.

• and the Lord:

  • The use of Yahweh (יְהוָה), the personal covenant name of God, is crucial. It directly attributes David's success not to human ingenuity, military strength, or pagan deities, but solely to the sovereign action of the one true God, Israel's covenant Lord. This is a central theological assertion of the Chronicler.

• brought the fear of him:

  • The Hebrew word for "fear" is pachad (פַּחַד), which often carries the nuance of "dread," "terror," or "awe" – a powerful, unsettling apprehension. It implies a sense of respectful dread that disarmed potential adversaries, rather than mere politeness. This was a divinely imposed deterrent.
  • "brought" (נָתַן - nathan) means "gave," "put," or "placed." This active verb underscores God's direct agency in imposing this pachad upon the nations. It wasn't a natural byproduct of David's actions but a supernatural endowment from God.

• upon all nations:

  • Kol haggoyim (כָּל הַגּוֹיִם) refers to "all the Gentiles" or "all the peoples/nations." This phrase confirms the universal scope of God's action, encompassing the surrounding non-Israelite populations. It reinforces the idea that God is the ruler of all the earth and uses His chosen king to demonstrate His power to all humanity.

• David's fame spread... and the Lord brought the fear of him: This juxtaposition emphasizes that while David's reputation was expanding (an outcome), the underlying cause for its power and deterrent effect was God's direct intervention. David was famous, but it was the Lord who made his fame effective as a form of divine deterrence. The fame itself, and the fear associated with it, served as a testimony to Yahweh's power among the nations, consistent with Israel's calling to be a light to the nations (Isa 49:6).

1 Chronicles 14 17 Bonus section

This verse functions as a powerful theological counterpoint to pagan beliefs of the ancient Near East, where kings derived power from their own strength or alliances with multiple deities. The Chronicler explicitly asserts that David's power and influence originated solely from the One True God, Yahweh, highlighting monotheism and divine sovereignty. It echoes the historical pattern seen in figures like Joshua, where God's presence instilled fear in Israel's enemies, thereby facilitating their conquest. This fear was not merely respect, but a divine intervention that disheartened armies before battle, fulfilling previous covenant promises where God promised to put the dread of Israel on the surrounding nations. This also prefigures the future messianic reign of the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ, whose fame and authority would extend globally, ultimately leading to all nations acknowledging Him (e.g., Php 2:9-11). The establishment of David's fame by the Lord points to God's redemptive purpose for Israel to be a testimony to the nations.

1 Chronicles 14 17 Commentary

1 Chronicles 14:17 powerfully summarizes David's rise to preeminence, attributing it solely to the Lord. This verse is not merely an observation of historical events but a theological statement by the Chronicler. It underscores that David's fame and the fear he inspired were not results of his own genius or military might, but direct, supernatural workings of Yahweh. This divine endorsement served as a spiritual deterrent to potential enemies, solidifying Israel's security and establishing David's rule. The narrative reinforces God's covenant faithfulness and His active role in the affairs of His people and their king. This prepared the way for the peaceful reign of Solomon, enabling the future building of the Temple as prophesied, illustrating how God's work precedes and facilitates His greater plans. It teaches dependence on God, acknowledging Him as the source of all authority, success, and security, rather than trusting in human power.