1 Crônicas 14
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Crônicas 14
Spurgeon - Christian, if thou wouldst know the path of duty, take God for thy compass; if thou wouldst steer thy ship through the dark billows, put the tiller into the hand of the Almighty. Many a rock might be escaped if we would let our Father take the helm; many a shoal or quicksand we might well avoid if we would leave it to His sovereign will to choose and to command. The Puritan said, “As sure as ever a Christian carves for himself he’ll cut his own fingers.” “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go” (Ps 32:8) is God’s promise to His people. Let us, then, take all our perplexities to Him and say, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Leave not thy chamber this morning without inquiring of the Lord. Saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will You give them into my hand?" - The Philistines were a formidable enemy, so instead of relying on his military skills, he seeks to rely on the LORD sage advice! THOUGHT - David presents a good pattern for all of God's children to imitate, because we are always in spiritual warfare, and sometimes that warfare is especially intense and our adversary seems formidable and unconquerable! It is at times like that, that we need to run into the Strong Tower of our great God and seek His word and wisdom for what (and when) we are to do (cf Pr 18:10+). I love David's "song" in 1Ch 16:11+ which has become my goto verse in times of trial or affliction - "Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually." Then the LORD said to him, "Go up, for I will give them into your hand (yad) - God's Word clearly answered both of David's questions with two verbs, "go" and "give." To give into one's hand is the idiomatic way of saying God was going to give the Philistines into the power of Israel. Note that "will" often conveys a prophetic word as in this case and if God promises it, that settles it. It is as if the future tense verb could be translated as past tense because the outcome is absolutely certain. This is our sovereign, omnipotent God, beloved! Note once again the juxtaposition of God's power and David's responsibility, his "Let God, let's go" mindset! Hand (03027) yad meaning literally a hand and figuratively power or strength (translated "power" 44x, "strength" - 5x - both in NASB). The hand symbolized "power" or "strength" (Dt. 8:17). Dt. 32:36 described Israel's loss of power by saying "their hands were gone." Moses' hand was poignantly used to portray power in the plagues against Egypt (Exodus 10:12-25). The most notable use of this metaphor is its conveyance of God's power. 1Ch 29:12 declares that in Yahweh's hand is power and might (cf. Psalm 89:13). His hand is not "short" (or "weak") (Isaiah 59:1), but mighty. A predominant demonstration of his power was his deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 13:3-16; Numbers 33:3). ILLUSTRATION - The text, however, does not stress the diversity but the fact of Yahweh’s guidance, primarily in its protective capacity. Nor is its vigilance limited to new kings and nascent kingdoms, for legions of kingdom servants remember being placed behind this protective shield. About 1545 in Montrose, Scotland, George Wishart, the mentor of John Knox, received a letter alleging to come from an intimate friend who had become suddenly ill and earnestly desired Wishart’s presence at his death-bed. Wishart set out with a few friends but had scarcely gone a quarter of a mile before he stopped and abruptly announced, ‘I am forbidden of God to go on this journey; will some of you be pleased to ride to yonder place [he pointed to a little hill], and see what you find, for I apprehend there is a plot laid against my life.’ His scouts checked the hill and discovered some sixty horsemen concealed behind it, ready to seize Wishart. The ‘friend’s’ letter had been a forgery of his eminence, the most bloody, treacherous Cardinal Beaton. In multiple ways Yahweh’s guidance never ceases to secure his cause and his people. (Dale Ralph Davis - Ibid) 1 Chronicles 14:11 So they came up to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there; and David said, "God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like the breakthrough of waters." Therefore they named that place Baal-perazim. Baal perazim : 2Sa 5:20 Isa 28:21 God : Ps 18:13-15 44:3 144:1,10 like the breakthrough : Ex 14:28 Job 30:14 Mt 7:27 Baal perazim : that is, a place of breaches GOD BREAKS THROUGH THE PHILISTINES So they came up to Baal-perazim - This name means "the Lord of breaking forth" and is a picture of waters breaking through a dam, even as David's troops broke through the Philistine ranks! and David defeated them there; and David said, "God has broken (parats) through my enemies by my hand, like the breakthrough of waters." - Note the juxtaposition of Man's responsibility (David defeated them) and the LORD'S sovereignty (God has broken through) Not "Let go, let God," (passivity) but "Let God, let's go" (full dependence, active involvement). God's part, our part. (See NT parallel = Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible) David gives the glory to the LORD, not to his military maneuvering or expertise, another good pattern to emulate! Selman - “God’s ‘breakout’ in judgment (1 Chronicles 13:9-12) now becomes a ‘breakout’ in blessing for Israel as well as for Obed-Edom’s household.” The initial victory is understood as a divine break through comparable with an irresistible onrush of water (5:11), perhaps having in mind heavy rainfall in hilly country (Herrtzberg) or “the breaking of a clay vessel full of water” (Tg.). Frederick Mabie: As God did with Uzzah ("outburst" = parats in 1Ch 13:11), so God “breaks out” (parats) against the Philistines. In the same way that the place where God broke out against Uzzah is renamed “Perez Uzzah” (1Ch 13:11), so the name of the city where God breaks out against the Philistines is renamed “Baal Perazim” (v.11). Therefore they named that place Baal-perazim Which means “Lord of the outbursts” or " the Lord of breaking forth." The name conveys the picture of flooding waters breaking through a dam, as David's troops broke through the Philistine assault. Dale Ralph Davis - ‘Baal-perazim’ means ‘lord of burstings out’, commemorating the way Yahweh had broken down the Philistines. David compared Yahweh’s activity to the way a massive torrent of water breaks down everything in its path. Just so Yahweh levels the opposition, and David names the site Smasherton. Micah 2:13+ refers to ‘the Breaker’ (happōrēṣ) who will lead his remnant in breaking out of confinement into deliverance/freedom. I think the term refers to the Messiah. (Ibid) (ED: I THINK DAVIS IS CORRECT -- SEE STUDY OF Christ The Breaker) Broken (06555) parats means to break through; burst out (qal); to spread abroad (niphal); to be broken down (pual); break loose (hitpael). The word (parats) could be used for breaking down the wall of a captured city (2 Kings 14:13). It was also used of divine anger breaking out against those who have offended God (Ex 19:22). It can also mean to urge someone to a particular course of action (1Sam. 28:23). It (parats) is a word which speaks of power that sweeps all obstacles before it, effectively undermining and demolishing all that would resist it. It is a presentation of the LORD as a warrior overthrowing His enemies (Isa. 42:13; Jer. 9:16–19).The idea of parats is break down the hedge, break down the wall, break through a barrier or retainer, break into the house of God, tear down the wall of Jerusalem. Parats described the breaking open of a barrel of water, the breaching of a wall during a siege or the bursting of a dam. In a military context parats referred to a sudden, violent, devastating attack. Parats in 1Sa-2Chr - 1 Sam. 3:1; 1 Sam. 25:10; 1 Sam. 28:23; 2 Sam. 5:20; 2 Sam. 6:8; 2 Sam. 13:25; 2 Sam. 13:27; 2 Ki. 5:23; 2 Ki. 14:13; 1 Chr. 4:38; 1 Chr. 13:2; 1 Chr. 13:11; 1 Chr. 14:11; 1 Chr. 15:13; 2 Chr. 11:23; 2 Chr. 20:37; 2 Chr. 24:7; 2 Chr. 25:23; 2 Chr. 26:6; 2 Chr. 31:5; 2 Chr. 32:5; Bob Gass - Fresh Word for Today - Breakthrough! So he attacked them at Baal-Perazim and wiped them out. That is why the place has been known as … “the place of breaking through.” (1 Chronicles 14:11, TLB) Never forget, everybody you meet is fighting a battle of some kind. They need a breakthrough! If you need one, too, look at what David did. The enemy had come against him in overwhelming force, but David did two things. First, he reminded himself that “the Lord had made him king” (1 Chronicles 14:2). Today remind yourself whose child you are, whose Spirit lives within you, and on whose word you’re standing. God didn’t make only David a king—He made you one, too, so don’t let the enemy push you around. (See Revelation 12:11.) Next, David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines?” (1 Chronicles 14:14). Have you talked it over with the Lord? Did you stay in His presence long enough to hear what He had to say? God doesn’t respond to your need, He responds to your obedience! When you’ve obeyed Him—you’re invincible! What happened next is a key for you! David said, “God hath used me to sweep away my enemy” (1 Chronicles 14:11). Sometimes God will do it for you; other times He’ll use you to do it! That’s why you must hear from Him before you move. He’ll provide the harvest, but you have to plant the seed. You can’t do God’s part, and He won’t do yours! It’s not a question of just doing something, it’s a matter of doing what He tells you to do. THE MOMENT YOU DO, YOU’RE ON THE THRESHOLD OF “A BREAKTHROUGH,” AND THAT’S JUST WHAT GOD HAS IN MIND FOR YOU TODAY! 1 Chronicles 14:12 They abandoned their gods there; so David gave the order and they were burned with fire. were burned : Ex 12:12 32:20 De 7:5,25 1Sa 5:2-6 2Ki 19:18 FUTILITY & FATE OF IDOLS They abandoned their gods there; so David gave the order and they were burned with fire - In 2Sa 5:21+ we read "They abandoned their idols there, so David and his men carried them away." Apparently the Philistines took their idols (cf. 1Sa 31:9+) into battle thinking this would give them power over the Israelites, (cf Israelites had done same thing with Ark of God 1Sa 4:3-4+), but they discovered that their lifeless idols were powerless and of no assistance in war with David and His God, so they left them behind and the Hebrews "confiscated them" (NLT). The 2Sa 5:21 passage leaves a false impression that David's men might have taken them back home to place them in their trophy cases, but this clearly states David ordered them to be burned with fire. With these orders David is fulfilling the commands in Deut. 7:5,25+ and Deut 12:3+. THOUGHT - There is an implied principle in David's orders regarding the confiscated idols - burn them! Does this not apply to those idols with which the world seeks to ensnare us? If we are not careful those things we think we possess may end up possessing us. If we sense that is happening with anything that is beginning to replace God in our heart, we need to "burn them," (in some way remove them from our heart, which may look different for different idols). Spurgeon - The Philistines brought their gods with them, in the hope of being thereby defended; but “David and his men burned them.” That was the very best thing to do with them. What a pity they did not save them for aesthetic purposes! Thus do men with fine old works of art, like pictures of the Virgin Mary. No, no, burn them; for that is the very best thing to do with anything that ever has been worshipped of mortal man. If they have ever been set up in the place of God, they are cursed from that moment, let them be burned, or dashed in pieces, or in some way destroyed. “There they left their images, and David and his men burned them.” Walton has an interesting background note on abandoned their idols - s. Nearly every army in the ancient Near East included priests and diviners (as seen in the Mari texts), prophets (2 Kings 3) and portable sacred objects (Assyrian Annals of Shalmaneser III [858-824 B.C.]). In this way, the god(s) could be consulted on the battlefield or invoked to lead the soldiers to victory. In the divine warrior motif, the deity is fighting the battles and defeating the deities of the enemy. In most situations prayers would be made and omens asked to assure the god’s presence. The idols would only be abandoned under the most critical circumstances. There are several cases in the ancient world of statues of a god being carried off as trophies of war. For examples see comment on 1 Samuel 5:2. (See page 329 in IVP Background Commentary - OT) James Butler - Sermon Starters - THE TACTICS OF TEMPTATION “The Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley” (1 Chronicles 14:13). The Philistines were the enemy of Israel. They wanted to destroy Israel. Like the modern-day Arabs, they wanted Israel our of the land and were always attacking them and without justified reason. When David became king, they attacked Israel. Our text for this sermonette speaks of one of those attacks. Many lessons can be learned from the Philistines’ actions. We focus here on the lesson of temptation which is seen in this attack. FIRST—THE PERSISTENCY OF TEMPTATION “Yet again.” Though they were defeated in the previous attack (1 Chronicles 14:9–12), yet the Philistines returned to attack again. So it is with temptation. We may defeat a temptation and be rid of it for awhile, but it will be back to work on us again and again. Even with Christ, temptation and the devil “departed from him [but] for a season” (Luke 4:13) Evil does not give up quickly; therefore, we must be persistent in keeping up our guard against evil and in battling evil. SECOND—THE PLENTIFULNESS OF TEMPTATION “Spread themselves.” The Philistines would fill as much of the land as they could with their armies. Temptation does the same. It likes to fill every nook and cranny of our life so no matter which way we turn we are confronted with some sort of temptation. “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) will help to defeat and eliminate temptation in many areas of our life. THIRD—THE PERCEPTION OF TEMPTATION “Spread themselves.” The Hebrew language here means to expand. What the Philistines tried to do (which many armies tried to do then) was to make it appear they were more in number than they really were. This clever tactic was to cower the Israelites into surrender. Temptation likes to do the same. It likes to say that everyone is doing it so why should we not do it. Temptation would try to give itself a much more impressive appearance than it really is. All sin is like that. It inflates the blessings and its recommendation of evil until it is “spread” throughout society in popularity. FOURTH—THE PLACE OF TEMPTATION “In the valley.” The valley speaks of the down times in our life. The valley speaks of our time of discouragement, depression, despair, and doubt. This is a favorite place for temptation to “spread” itself. In the valley of life we are tempted to throw in the towel and give up. This makes it a fertile ground for temptation to grow and be effective. The enemy knows when and where to attack. He knows when and where we are at our weakest and when and where we are the most vulnerable. But when in the valley, keep you eye focused on the Lord and appeal to Him for help. This is what David did and this is how he overcame the pesky Philistines when they attacked in the valley. 1 Chronicles 14:13 The Philistines made yet another raid in the valley. yet: 1Ch 14:9 2Sa 5:22-25 1Ki 20:22 Valley of Rephaim The Philistines made yet another raid in the valley (of Rephaim). The Philistines launch a second offensive at the same location, although the interval of time between the two attacks is not specified. If at first you don't succeed try again. One wonders if they brought different idols with them this time?! 1 Chronicles 14:14 David inquired again of God, and God said to him, "You shall not go up after them; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees. inquired : 1Ch 14:10 Ps 27:4 turn away : Jos 8:2-7 Joh 9:6,7 DAVID CONSULTS HIS COMMANDING OFFICER David inquired again of God,- This is a fascinating verse, because it would have been so easy to think that he has already spoken to the LORD and had gained a victory, so surely He would give another victory! In war good communication is essential, and cutting an enemies lines of communication can be the key to victory. Praise God that the lines of communication can never be cut between us and our commanding Officer, the LORD Almighty. THOUGHT - There is a good lesson for all of us in David's second inquiry! He did not trust in self, but was willing to wait on the LORD even though he had experienced victory. This is a variation on Paul's command to "Pray (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) without ceasing." (1Th 5:17+). One only wishes that David had prayed before he took another wife! and God said to him, "You shall not go up after them; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees - The LORD gives what might seem like an unusual strategy, but David obeys. Notice this answer is not a "Yes" or "No" reply from the LORD, but is a specific set of instructions. This would suggest that this was not obtained by use of the ephod, but by some other means, either dreams or a prophet. NET NOTE - Some translate as “balsam trees” (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV, NJB, NLT); cf. KJV, NKJV, ASV “mulberry trees”; NAB “mastic trees”; NEB, REB “aspens.” The exact identification of the type of tree or plant is uncertain. Spurgeon - Morning and Evening - “And David enquired of the Lord.” —2 Samuel 5:23, 1 Chronicles 14:14 When David made this enquiry he had just fought the Philistines, and gained a signal victory. The Philistines came up in great hosts, but, by the help of God, David had easily put them to flight. Note, however, that when they came a second time, David did not go up to fight them without enquiring of the Lord. Once he had been victorious, and he might have said, as many have in other cases, “I shall be victorious again; I may rest quite sure that if I have conquered once I shall triumph yet again. Wherefore should I tarry to seek at the Lord’s hands?” Not so, David. He had gained one battle by the strength of the Lord; he would not venture upon another until he had ensured the same. He enquired, “Shall I go up against them?” He waited until God’s sign was given. Learn from David to take no step without God. Christian, if thou wouldst know the path of duty, take God for thy compass; if thou wouldst steer thy ship through the dark billows, put the tiller into the hand of the Almighty. Many a rock might be escaped, if we would let our Father take the helm; many a shoal or quicksand we might well avoid, if we would leave to his sovereign will to choose and to command. The Puritan said, “As sure as ever a Christian carves for himself, he’ll cut his own fingers;” this is a great truth. Said another old divine, “He that goes before the cloud of God’s providence goes on a fool’s errand;” and so he does. We must mark God’s providence leading us; and if providence tarries, tarry till providence comes. He who goes before providence, will be very glad to run back again. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go,” is God’s promise to his people. Let us, then, take all our perplexities to him, and say, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Leave not thy chamber this morning without enquiring of the Lord. John
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Spurgeon - Faith's Checkbook - THERE are signs of the Lord’s moving which should move us. The Spirit of God blows where he listeth, and we hear the sound thereof. Then is the time for us to be more than ever astir. We must seize the golden opportunity, and make the most we can of it. It is ours to fight the Philistines at all times; but when the Lord himself goes out before us, then we should be specially valiant in the war. The breeze stirred the tops of the trees, and David and his men took this for the signal for an onslaught, and at their advance the Lord, himself, smote the Philistines. Oh, that this day the Lord may give us an opening to speak for him with many of our friends! Let us be on the watch to avail ourselves of the hopeful opening when it comes. Who knows but this may be a day of good tidings; a season of soul-winning. Let us keep our ear open to hear the rustle of the wind, and our minds ready to obey the signal. Is not this promise “then shall the Lord go out before thee,” a sufficient encouragement to play the man? Since the Lord goes before us, we dare not hold back. G Campbell
1 Crônicas 14
Spurgeon - Morning and Evening - The members of Christ’s Church should be very prayerful, always seeking the unction of the Holy One to rest upon their hearts, that the kingdom of Christ may come, and that his “will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven;” but there are times when God seems especially to favour Zion, such seasons ought to be to them like “the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees.” We ought then to be doubly prayerful, doubly earnest, wrestling more at the throne than we have been wont to do. Action should then be prompt and vigorous. The tide is flowing—now let us pull manfully for the shore. O for Pentecostal outpourings and Pentecostal labours. Christian, in yourself there are times “when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees.” You have a peculiar power in prayer; the Spirit of God gives you joy and gladness; the Scripture is open to you; the promises are applied; you walk in the light of God’s countenance; you have peculiar freedom and liberty in devotion, and more closeness of communion with Christ than was your wont. Now, at such joyous periods when you hear the “sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees,” is the time to bestir yourself; now is the time to get rid of any evil habit, while God the Spirit helpeth your infirmities. Spread your sail; but remember what you sometimes sing— “I can only spread the sail; Thou! Thou! must breathe the auspicious gale.” Only be sure you have the sail up. Do not miss the gale for want of preparation for it. Seek help of God, that you may be more earnest in duty when made more strong in faith; that you may be more constant in prayer when you have more liberty at the throne; that you may be more holy in your conversation whilst you live more closely with Christ. Spurgeon - Act Promptly when you hear The sound in the mulberry trees - If any of your acquaintance have been in the house of God, if you have induced them to go there, and you think there is some little good doing but you do not know, take care of that little. It may be God has used us as a foster mother to bring up his child, so that this little one may be brought up in the faith, and this newly converted soul may be strengthened and edified. But I’ll tell you, many of you Christians do a deal of mischief, by what you say when going home. A man once said that when he was a lad he heard a certain sermon from a minister, and felt deeply impressed under it. Tears stole down his cheeks, and he thought within himself, “I will go home to pray.” On the road home he fell into the company of two members of the church. One of them began saying, “Well, how did you enjoy the sermon?” The other said, “I do not think he was quite sound on such a point.” “Well,” said the other, “I thought he was rather off his guard,” or something of that sort; and one pulled one part of the minister’s sermon to pieces, and another the other, until, said the young man, before I had gone many yards with them, I had forgotten all about it; and all the good I thought I had received seemed swept away by those two men, who seemed afraid lest I should get any hope, for they were just pulling that sermon to pieces which would have brought me to my knees. How often have we done the same! People will say, “What did you think of that sermon?” I gently tell them nothing at all, and if there is any fault in it—and very likely there is, it is better not to speak of it, for some may get good from it. THOUGHT - The preceding comments remind me of the seven realities in Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God. 1. God is always at work around you. 2. God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal. 3. God invites you to become involved with Him in His work. (ED: WHEN YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF MARCHING...) 4. God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways. 5. God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action. 6. You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing. 7. You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you. (Borrow Experiencing God : knowing and doing the will of God Blackaby, Henry) 1 Chronicles 14:16 David did just as God had commanded him, and they struck down the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even as far as Gezer. did as God : Ge 6:22 Ex 39:42,43 Joh 2:5 13:17 15:14 Gibeon : 2Sa 5:25, Geba Gazer : 1Ch 6:67 Jos 16:10, Gezer DAVID'S UNQUESTIONING OBEDIENCE TO UNUSUAL INSTRUCTIONS David did just as God had commanded him - This is faith in action, or better stated, faith that leads to inaction. That is, David's remained inactive, waiting to hear the sign from God, because he believed God's Word. That's faith in inaction/action! As the title implies, Yahweh's instructions were not in the handbook of conventional ancient warfare and yet he did not question but fully obeyed, always the best policy! I hope that may be said of you and me all our lives long. -- Spurgeon And struck down the Philistines from Gibeon (Geba) as far as Gezer (see map). - Obedience brings blessing and victory. Trust and obey beloved, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, then to trust and obey! Victory over the strong enemy was the result of David's obedience. THOUGHT - Christians are engaged in continual spiritual warfare against a strong, invisible enemy and yet the LORD has given us His Word by which we can experience victory against such powerful forces. Ephesians 6:10-18+ would be a great passage to commit to memory as it begins with a clear command to "be strong in the LORD and in the strength of His might." Paul is not saying "Let go, let God," but more like "Let God,let's go!" Be strong in HIS power which implies we need to jettison our self-reliance, our clever reasonings to foil the enemy, etc and depend wholly on the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit and then stand firm (our responsibility enabled by the Spirit's power). Paul gives 4 commands in Eph 6:10-14+ ("be strong," "put on...," "take up...," and "stand firm." - see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) We need to imitate David and obey, walking (fighting) not by sight but by faith (2Co 5:7+, cf 2Co 4:18+), and He will win the victory just as He did for David. Paul Apple - After realizing that David has reconsolidated the tribes of Israel, the Philistines attack twice (1Ch 14:8, 13) but are defeated and driven back. David’s victory succeeds in removing the Philistine foothold in the hill country and part of the Shephelah (1Ch 14:16). Following his first victory, David burns the abandoned Philistine idols (1Ch 14:12), according to Deuteronomic instruction (cf. Dt 7:5–6; 12:1–3). Thus David’s twofold victory over the Philistines at the beginning of his reign emphatically shows God’s hand of protection and blessing over the king and the nation as David seeks him and obeys his Word (cf. 1Ch 14:10–11, 14–16, 17)....these victories were not final, and military encounters with the Philistines were to continue for some time (2Sa. 8.1; 1Ch 18.1, etc.). Life Application Study Bible (borrow) - David fought his battles the way God instructed him. In each instance he (1) asked if he should fight or not, (2) followed instructions carefully, and (3) gave God the glory. We can err in our "battles" by ignoring these steps and instead (1) do what we want without considering God's will, (2) do things our way and ignore advice in the Bible or from other wise people, and (3) take the glory ourselves or give it to someone else with out acknowledging the help we received from God. All these responses are sinful. 1 Chronicles 14:17 Then the fame of David went out into all the lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him on all the nations. fame of David : Jos 6:27 2Ch 26:8 Ps 18:44 the fear of him : Ex 15:14-16 De 2:25 Dt 11:25 Jos 2:9-11 9:24 Related Passages: Psalm 18:44+ As soon as they hear, they obey me; Foreigners submit to me. Exodus 15:14-16+ “The peoples have heard, they tremble; Anguish has gripped the inhabitants of Philistia. 15“Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; The leaders of Moab, trembling grips them; All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. 16“Terror and dread fall upon them; By the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone; Until Your people pass over, O LORD, Until the people pass over whom You have purchased. Deuteronomy 2:25+ (YAHWEH'S PROMISE TO ISRAEL WHEN SHE OBEYED) ‘This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the peoples everywhere under the heavens, who, when they hear the report of you, will tremble and be in anguish because of you.’ Deuteronomy 11:25+ “No man will be able to stand before you (WHEN ISRAEL WAS OBEDIENT TO THE LORD!); the LORD your God will lay the dread of you and the fear of you on all the land on which you set foot, as He has spoken to you. Joshua 2:9-11+ (GENTILE RAHAB THE HARLOT'S TESTIMONY) and said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. 10 “For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 “When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. DAVID'S FAME AND FEAR SPREAD Then - When? When God gave David and Israel great victory over the mighty Philistine forces. The fame of David went out into all the lands - David became famous for his military prowess. Frederick Mabie: This summary statement reflects the Chronicler’s sustained focus on God’s goodness in establishing and blessing the reign of David. This blessing is expressed via the position of respect and power attained by Israel during the reign of David and is likewise seen during the reigns of Solomon (2Ch 9:9, 24) and Jehoshaphat (cf. 2Ch 17:10–11). And the LORD brought the fear of him on all the nations - Compare "David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted." Establishment, exaltation, fame and fear are from Yahweh! So the nations feared David per se not because of David, but because the LORD brought it about! Andrew Hill: The spread of David’s fame and the fear of Yahweh among the nations are interrelated (14:17). As God blesses David’s faithfulness, so David’s success brings glory and honor to God. The Chronicler’s report of David’s growing reputation foreshadows the covenant blessing of God’s promise to make David’s name among the greatest of the world (17:8). Fittingly, the defeat of the Philistines at Rephaim reverses the outcome at Mount Gilboa and avenges the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, closing the story on that tragic first chapter in the history of Israelite kingship. Presumably the Chronicler intends this account of the reversal of fortune for Israel under King David as a message of hope and encouragement for his audience—“fodder” for possibility thinking on the part of his generation. John Schultz: David’s double victory over the Philistines made him internationally famous. We are not told which countries expressed appreciation or interest, but simply that all the nations feared him. This emphasized Israel’s security. No other nation would want to attack Israel and occupy its territory. Israel became known as the most powerful nation in the world.