Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
1 Chronicles 14:16

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

The ark comes to Jerusalem (13:1-16:7)

David knew that part of the reason for Israel’s previous weakness was Saul’s lack of interest in its religious life. Even the ark of the covenant, symbol of God’s presence, lay forgotten in a country house. David set out to restore the ark to its rightful place at the centre of the nation’s religious life. In bringing the ark to Jerusalem, his aim was to make Jerusalem the religious, as well as the political, centre of Israel. But his plans suffered an early setback because of a lack of reverence for the ark (13:1-14; see notes on 2 Samuel 6:1-11).

An account of two victories over the Philistines is inserted (out of chronological order), probably to impress upon the reader how David’s fame was spreading (14:1-17; see notes on 2 Samuel 5:11-25).

The writer then goes back to the story of the ark and shows how, after the earlier setback, it was finally brought to Jerusalem. Nothing disastrous happened this time, because the ark was transported in the proper manner and handled with fitting reverence. It was carried on the shoulders of the Levites, who themselves were ceremonially cleansed (15:1-15; see notes on 2 Samuel 6:12-15).

Music and singing, organized and directed by the Levites, accompanied the procession. The three leading singers previously named, Heman, Asaph and Ethan (see 6:31,33,39,44), were in charge of the singers, who were under the overall control of Chenaniah. Obed-edom, who had looked after the ark during its recent stay in his house (see 13:14), was appointed to be one of the guardians of the ark in Jerusalem. He was also among the official singers when not required for guard duty (16-24).

After the arrival of the ark in Jerusalem, David and the people celebrated the event with sacrifices and feasting (25-16:3; see notes on 2 Samuel 6:16-23). David also appointed various officials to lead the worship. The arrangements for singing and music made on this occasion became the basis of Israel’s future organized public worship (4-7).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

DAVID BUILDS HIMSELF A CEDAR HOUSE, TAKES MORE WIVES AND CONCUBINES, AND DEFEATS THE PHILISTINES TWICE

"And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and masons, and carpenters, to build him a house. And David perceived that Jehovah had established him king over Israel; for his kingdom was exalted on high, for his people Israel's sake. "And David took more wives at Jerusalem; and David begat more sons and daughters. And these are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpelet, and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, and Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet. "And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David: and David heard of it, and went out against them. Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And Jehovah said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thy hand. So they came up to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there; and David said, God hath broken mine enemies by my hand, like a breach of waters. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim. And they left their gods there; and David gave commandment, and they were burned with fire. "And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. And David inquired again of God; and God said unto him, Thou shalt not go up after them: turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. And it shall be, that when thou hearest the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle; for God is gone out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines. And David did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer. And the fame of David went out into all lands; and Jehovah brought the fear of him upon all nations."

Here also we have a chapter exactly parallel with 2 Samuel 5:11-25, where my commentary on these events is found on pp. 59-65, and where the slight and unimportant variations are also noted.

"For his people Israel's sake" David's life, like that of all mortals, was marred by many sins and mistakes; and this significant phrase indicates that David fully realized that God's blessings upon him were not for David's sake, but for the sake of God's people and the purpose of salvation for all men that was destined in the purpose of God to come through Israel.

"Like a breach of waters" The RSV renders this ambiguous phrase, "like a bursting flood."

In spite of the fact that David's notorious sins against Bathsheba and Uriah are not mentioned here, there is no effort whatever to conceal his multiplying unto himself wives and concubines specifically contrary to the Law of God.

Smith's Bible Commentary

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. "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

2. Restoring fellowship with Yahweh ch. 14

God blessed David and his kingdom because David had honored God by seeking to bring the ark into Jerusalem. The Chronicler recorded three instances of divine blessing in this chapter. First, God gave David favor in the eyes of his neighbor allies. This resulted in his kingdom experiencing great honor in the ancient Near East (1 Chronicles 14:1-2). Second, God increased David’s personal fertility by giving him many children (1 Chronicles 14:3-7).

A problem that bothers some students of David’s life is this. In view of the high moral standards that God requires for qualification as an elder in the church, why did God bless David as He did since he had many wives (1 Chronicles 14:3)? First, an appreciation of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the Old Testament is crucial to understanding this apparent inconsistency. References to the Holy Spirit’s ministry to select Old Testament saints connect with His enabling them to gain military victories to deliver His people from their enemies (e.g., Judges 3:10; Judges 6:34; Judges 11:29; Judges 14:6; Judges 14:19; 1 Samuel 11:6; et al.). The Spirit’s indwelling ministry to every Christian after the day of Pentecost focuses on the transformation of the believer’s character into Christ’s image (e.g., Galatians 5:16-24; et al.). Second, an appreciation of God’s different purposes in Israel and the church is helpful. In Old Testament Israel, God was manifesting His glory primarily through the uniqueness of Israel and through its national institutions. In the New Testament church, God is glorifying Himself primarily through the lives of the individual and corporate temples that He indwells. These are Spirit-controlled people and churches. God was more merciful with David’s polygamy in view of His purposes then. In view of His purposes now, He requires a higher degree of personal holiness. Third, the progress of revelation helps us understand this issue. Old Testament saints had revelation concerning the sin of polygamy (Genesis 2:24; Deuteronomy 17:16-17). However, they did not have the added privilege and responsibility of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles on this subject (Matthew 5; Matthew 19; 1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5; Colossians 3; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Hebrews 13; 1 Peter 3). Greater privilege always results in greater responsibility. David’s understanding of God’s will was not as comprehensive as ours is, and consequently God did not hold him as culpable as He holds us in this particular matter.

The third instance of God’s blessing in this chapter is that God gave David victory over his enemies, the Philistines (1 Chronicles 14:8-17). Since Saul’s death the Philistines had dominated Canaan. Finally David brought them under his control. The result was that other nations feared David (1 Chronicles 14:17).

In the renaming of Baal-perazim (1 Chronicles 14:14), as well as Perez-uzza (1 Chronicles 13:11), David and the Chronicler emphasized God breaking into the life of His people. In the first instance it was for judgment, but in the second it was for blessing. This record would have encouraged the restoration community to remember that God could do the same for them.

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

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Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      8 And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them.   9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.   10 And David enquired of God, 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.   11 So they came up to Baal-perazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim.   12 And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.   13 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.   14 Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.   15 And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.   16 David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.   17 And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

      This narrative of David's triumph over the Philistines is much the same with that, 2 Samuel 5:17-25, c. 1. Let the attack which the Philistines made upon David forbid us to be secure in any settlement or advancement, and engage us to expect molestation in this world. When we are most easy something or other may come to be a terror or vexation to us. Christ's kingdom will thus be insulted by the serpent's seed, especially when it makes any advances. 2. Let David's enquiry of God, once and again, upon occasion of the Philistines' invading him, direct us in all our ways to acknowledge God--in distress to fly to him, when we are wronged to appeal to him, and, when we know not what to do, to ask counsel at his oracles, to put ourselves under his direction, and to beg of him to show us the right way. 3. Let David's success encourage us to resist our spiritual enemies, in observance of divine directions and dependence on divine strength. Resist the devil, and he shall flee as the Philistines did before David. 4. Let the sound of the going in the tops of the mulberry trees direct us to attend God's motions both in his providence and in the influences of his Spirit. When we perceive God to go before us let us gird up our loins, gird on our armour, and follow him. 5. Let David's burning the gods of the Philistines, when they fell into his hands, teach us a holy indignation against idolatry and all the remains of it. 6. Let David's thankful acknowledgment of the hand of God in his successes direct us to bring all our sacrifices of praise to God's altar. Not unto us, O Lord! not unto us, but to thy name give glory. 7. Let the reputation which David obtained, not only in his kingdom, but among his neighbours, be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David (1 Chronicles 14:17; 1 Chronicles 14:17): The fame of David went out into all lands; he was generally talked of, and admired by all people, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations. All looked upon him as a formidable enemy and a desirable ally. Thus has God highly exalted our Redeemer, and given him a name above every name.