1 Chronicles 14:17

1Ch 14:17 And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

Ver. 17. And the Lord brought the fear of him.] He grew terrible to his enemies. So did Hunniades, Scanderbeg, Charles V, &c., ita et parentes liberis plorantibus silentium non aliter imperarent quam horum praesentiam minitando: so that mothers stilled their children by these men’s names.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Verse 17. Into all lands] That is, all the surrounding or neighbouring lands and nations, for no others can possibly be intended.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(17) This verse is not in Samuel. It looks like a concluding reflection of the chronicler’s, similar to 2Ch_17:10; 2Ch_20:29.

The fame of David went out.—David’s name. The same phrase recurs in 2Ch_26:15.

All lands.—All the lands. (Comp. Psa_19:4.)

And the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.—Yet this fear was, as we should say, the natural effect of his victories. In the view of the chronicler, David’s success in arms, with all its consequences, was the work of Jehovah. The Hebrew phrase is similar to that in Est_8:17.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

All countries and nations, in the vicinity. (Haydock)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Into all lands, i.e. into all the neighbouring countries.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Fame and fear.

David, notwithstanding his follies and sins, was "the man after God"s own heart." Devout, obedient, diligent, courageous, he was eminently adapted both to govern the nation, to lead the army, to promote the revival of true religion. Providence exalted him to a lofty position and enabled him to adorn the station to which he was raised. Hence so large a part of the historical books of the Old Testament are occupied with the events of his reign; and hence he is so frequently alluded to in the national annals, and so often quoted both by our Lord and by his inspired apostles.

I DAVID"S FAME. It was the fame of:

1. A successful warrior. A man of war from his youth, he owed his throne to his valour and generalship.

2. A powerful king. When he wielded the forces of a nation, God gave him victory over many enemies.

3. A pious man. His steadfastness in worshipping the true God, his liberality in providing for the services of the sanctuary, his habitual devotion, all were well known, and stamped David as a truly religious man.

4. A sacred poet and musician. It is as" the sweet singer of Israel" that he is held in lasting remembrance, and remembered with gratitude both widespread and sincere.

II DAVID"S FEAR.

1. His subjects held him in honour and had respect to his righteous laws.

2. His officers and troops were devoted to his person and obeyed his authoritative behests.

3. Traitors stood in awe of his vigour, promptness, and power.

4. His alliance was sought by neighbouring nations, who dreaded to have him as an enemy, and who courted his friendship.

5. His foes feared him, for he defeated their armies and held themselves in subjection and tribute.

PRACTICAL LESSONS.

1. All greatness is from God, to whom all praise is due.

2. The great are responsible for the use of their power to him who is "King of kings and Lord of lords. T.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.