Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 14

Verses 1-17

Chapter 14

Now Hiram the king of Tyre sent David down cedars, and workmen [and so forth], to build a palace for David. And while David was in Jerusalem he took more wives: and he had more sons and daughters ( 1 Chronicles 14:1 , 1 Chronicles 14:3 ).

And their names are listed there in chapter fourteen.

And the Philistines came [against David], spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? will You deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said, Go up; I will deliver them into your hand. So they came to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. And David said, God hath broken in on my enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of the place Baalperazim ( 1 Chronicles 14:9-11 ).

Now it is interesting to me how that David sought guidance from the Lord and asked direct questions and received direct answers. I think that it is important that we ask God direct questions. We seek the guidance of the Lord by asking direct questions. Too many times we have our plans all set, and then we say, "Now, God, please bless my plans." Rather than seeking the guidance of the Lord and asking direct questions. "Lord, shall we go up? Lord, will You be with us and deliver them into Your hands?" Asking direct questions, he received direct answers. And I believe that you can ask God a direct question and get a direct answer.

I had an old Oldsmobile car, and it was beginning to use a lot of oil. And I said, "Lord, what's causing this silly car to use so much oil?" And the Lord spoke to me and said, "Look at the speedometer." And I looked down and I was doing eighty miles an hour. So I slowed down. In those days the speed up was sixty-five. I slowed down to sixty-five. And I, He said, "You got a lead foot. That's why it's using so much oil." So I just started driving slower. I was, of course, having to drive to Idyllwild three times a week and up the mountain. And man, I had all those curves all wired, and you know, just floor boarding up the hill. And when I started driving like a normal person should drive, car quit using oil. So, thank You, Lord. Direct question, direct answer.

And I do believe that you can ask God direct questions and start listening and start getting direct answers. David was asking direct questions. God began to give him direct answers and guiding him.

Now the Philistines came up again and rather than just, "Alright, let's go again, fellows. At it once more." He waited and inquired of God again. And he said, "Shall we go up?" And the Lord said, "No, don't go up. But go around behind them and wait. And when you hear the sound of the wind in the top of the mulberry trees, then attack." So David went around behind the Philistines and they waited there. And when the wind began to blow in the top of the mulberry trees, then David and his men attacked and they wiped out the Philistines the second time.

And the fame of David and the fear of David spread throughout all the lands ( 1 Chronicles 14:17 );

And it was then at this point that David brought back the ark of the covenant, doing it after the manner that God had prescribed to Moses bringing it back the right way. "