1 Chronicles 14:17

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

וַיֵּצֵ֥א went out H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֥א went out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 1 of 12
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
שֵׁם And the fame H8034
שֵׁם And the fame
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 2 of 12
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
דָּוִ֖יד of David H1732
דָּוִ֖יד of David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 3 of 12
david, the youngest son of jesse
בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 4 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽאֲרָצ֑וֹת into all lands H776
הָֽאֲרָצ֑וֹת into all lands
Strong's: H776
Word #: 5 of 12
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וַֽיהוָ֛ה and the LORD H3068
וַֽיהוָ֛ה and the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נָתַ֥ן brought H5414
נָתַ֥ן brought
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 7 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פַּחְדּ֖וֹ the fear H6343
פַּחְדּ֖וֹ the fear
Strong's: H6343
Word #: 9 of 12
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 10 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 11 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִֽם׃ of him upon all nations H1471
הַגּוֹיִֽם׃ of him upon all nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 12 of 12
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

Analysis & Commentary

And the fame of David went out into all lands—The Hebrew shēm (שֵׁם, 'name' or 'reputation') emphasizes not merely celebrity but authoritative renown establishing David's sovereignty. More critically, the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations—pachad (פַּחַד) denotes reverential dread, the terror of God's judgment manifest through His anointed king.

The Chronicler attributes David's international dominance entirely to Yahweh's sovereign action, fulfilling the Abrahamic promise that through Israel all nations would be blessed—or judged (Genesis 12:3). This divine pachad foreshadows Messiah's universal reign when every knee shall bow (Philippians 2:10), and Christ's name above every name brings either salvation or judgment to all peoples.

Historical Context

Following David's decisive victories over the Philistines in chapter 14, his military reputation spread beyond Israel's immediate neighbors. The Chronicler, writing post-exile, emphasizes God's sovereignty in establishing David's kingdom as a theological paradigm for Israel's hope of restoration and the coming Messianic kingdom.

Questions for Reflection