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1 Chronicles 17:8

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And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that [are] in the earth.

And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked {H1980}, and have cut off {H3772} all thine enemies {H341} from before {H6440} thee, and have made {H6213} thee a name {H8034} like the name {H8034} of the great men {H1419} that are in the earth {H776}.

I have been with you wherever you went, I have destroyed all your enemies ahead of you; and I am making your reputation like the reputations of the greatest people on earth.

I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like the greatest in the land.

and I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast gone, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee; and I will make thee a name, like unto the name of the great ones that are in the earth.

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 17:8 (KJV)

This verse is part of God's profound message to King David, delivered through the prophet Nathan. David had expressed a desire to build a magnificent temple for the Ark of the Covenant, but God, through Nathan, tells David that it is not for him to build the house, but rather God will build David a "house" – a lasting dynasty.

Historical and Cultural Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a king's greatness was often measured by his military success, the security of his kingdom, and the establishment of his lineage. David, having consolidated his rule and brought peace to Israel, now desired to honor God by building a permanent dwelling place for the Lord. However, God's response in 1 Chronicles 17 shifts the focus from David's aspirations to God's own sovereign plan. This passage is the Chronicler's account of the Davidic Covenant, a foundational promise guaranteeing an enduring royal line.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Presence and Guidance: The phrase "And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked" emphasizes God's consistent, unwavering presence in David's life, guiding and protecting him through all his journeys and endeavors. This echoes God's promise of presence to Joshua and his people throughout their history.
  • Sovereign Victory: "and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee" highlights God's active role in granting David military success and securing his kingdom. It underscores that David's victories were not merely due to his skill but were a direct result of God fighting on his behalf. This divine intervention ensured peace and stability for Israel.
  • Establishment of a Great Name: "and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that [are] in the earth" signifies God's intention to elevate David's reputation and legacy to an unparalleled status. This is a divine act of blessing, similar to the promise made to Abraham to make his name great, ensuring David's renown would be etched in history. It speaks to the enduring influence and honor God bestows upon those who faithfully serve Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "name" (shem) is significant here. It denotes not just a label but one's reputation, character, authority, and legacy. When God promises to make David's name great, it implies establishing his lasting influence and authority, not just for his lifetime but through his descendants. The phrase "cut off" (Hebrew: karat) is a strong term often used for decisive actions, including the formal cutting of a covenant, reinforcing the permanence and certainty of God's actions.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless encouragement. It reminds us that God's presence is constant, guiding us through life's challenges. Even when our plans differ from God's, His ultimate purpose prevails, often leading to greater blessings than we could imagine. Just as God established David's name and kingdom, He works in our lives to establish His purposes, often through divine protection and provision. We are called to trust in His faithfulness, knowing that He is actively involved in our lives, ensuring His promises come to pass. This promise to David ultimately points forward to the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ, David's greater Son, whose reign will never end.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 18:14 (5 votes)

    And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD [was] with him.

  • 1 Chronicles 17:2 (5 votes)

    Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that [is] in thine heart; for God [is] with thee.

  • Psalms 46:7 (4 votes)

    The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

  • Genesis 28:15 (4 votes)

    And, behold, I [am] with thee, and will keep thee in all [places] whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done [that] which I have spoken to thee of.

  • 1 Samuel 18:28 (4 votes)

    And Saul saw and knew that the LORD [was] with David, and [that] Michal Saul's daughter loved him.

  • Psalms 75:7 (4 votes)

    But God [is] the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

  • Psalms 71:21 (4 votes)

    Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.