Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 14

Verses 1-7

The Fame and the Family of David

v. 1. Now, Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, a special embassy bearing his congratulations, and timber of cedars, lumber in the shape of beams, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house, the first royal palace built in Jerusalem.

v. 2. And David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, this fact being brought out by the unsolicited friendship of this powerful neighboring king; for his kingdom was lifted up on high, the Lord having exalted him, bringing out the impression of power more fully, because of His people Israel. Since Jehovah had chosen Israel for His people, therefore He gave it this conspicuous, powerful position among the nations.

v. 3. And David took more wives at Jerusalem; and David begat more sons and daughters, in addition to those born to him in Hebron.

v. 7. and Elishama, and Beeliada (or Eliada ), and Eliphalet. Cf 2 Samuel 3:5; 2 Samuel 5:14-16. God's treatment of David, given as a reward for the king's faithfulness, was at the same time an act of His wonderful kindness and mercy, as in the case of all His children.

Verses 8-17

Defeat of the Philistines

v. 8. And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, in the eighth year of his rule, all the Philistines went up to seek David, to attack and overthrow him and to subdue the country. And David heard of it and went out against them, he prepared to meet the invaders with an armed force.

v. 9. And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the Valley of Rephaim, favorably situated some distance west of Jerusalem and permitting the invaders to strike in every direction.

v. 10. And David enquired of God, in the usual manner, through the Urim and Thummim of the high priest, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt Thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto him, Go up, for I will deliver them into thine hand.

v. 11. So they came up to Baal-perazim, in or near the Valley of Rephaim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters, as when a dam suddenly breaks, and the accumulated waters spread death and destruction in their wake. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim ("place of breaches").

v. 12. And when they had left their gods there, the idols which they had foolishly brought along to assist them, David gave a commandment, in agreement with God's precept, Deuteronomy 7:5-25, and they were burned with fire.

v. 13. And the Philistines yet again, renewing their campaign the next season, spread themselves abroad in the valley, preparing to overrun the land.

v. 14. Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them, he was not to make his attack from the front; turn away from them, by marching around their flank, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees, literally, "over against the bacas," a shrub like balsam tree, with a white, resinous discharge, these trees shielding David and his army from observation.

v. 15. And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry-trees, the rustling caused by a strong breeze suddenly rising, that then thou shalt go out to battle, in an unexpected attack upon the enemies from the rear; for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines, the success of the entire campaign depending upon Him.

v. 16. David therefore did as God commanded him; and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer, these two towns being, respectively, two and one half and four and one half hours in a northwesterly direction from Jerusalem.

v. 17. And the fame of David, in consequence of these victories, went out into all lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations. Christ, the Son of David, is King of the New Testament Zion, and all kings and peoples that refuse to acknowledge Him as their King will have no success. The Lord blesses and strengthens the kingdom and the rule of Christ on earth.