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1 Chronicles 14:1-17 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 And Hiram, king of Tyre, sent men to David with cedar-trees, and stoneworkers and woodworkers for the building of his house.

2 And David saw that the Lord had made his position safe as king over Israel, lifting up his kingdom on high because of his people Israel.

3 And while he was living in Jerusalem, David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters.

4 These are the names of the children he had in Jerusalem: Shammua and Shobab, Nathan and Solomon

5 And Ibhar and Elishua and Elpelet

6 And Nogah and Nepheg and Japhia

7 And Elishama and Beeliada and Eliphelet.

8 And when the Philistines had news that David had been made king over all Israel, they went up in search of David, and David, hearing of it, went out against them.

9 Now the Philistines had come, and had gone out in every direction in the valley of Rephaim.

10 And David, desiring directions from God, said, Am I to go up against the Philistines? and will you give them into my hands? And the Lord said, Go up; for I will give them into your hands.

11 So they went up to Baal-perazim, and David overcame them there, and David said, God has let the forces fighting against me be broken by my hand, as a wall is broken down by rushing water; so they gave that place the name of Baal-perazim.

12 And the Philistines did not take their images with them in their flight; and at David's orders they were burned with fire.

13 Then the Philistines again went out in every direction in the valley.

14 And David went for directions to God; and God said to him, You are not to go up after them; but, turning away from them, come face to face with them opposite the spice-trees.

15 And at the sound of footsteps in the tops of the trees, go out to the fight, for God has gone out before you to overcome the army of the Philistines.

16 And David did as the Lord had said; and they overcame the army of the Philistines, attacking them from Gibeon as far as Gezer.

17 And David's name was honoured in all lands; and the Lord put the fear of him on all nations.

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Commentary on 1 Chronicles 14 Matthew Henry Commentary

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Chapter 14

In this chapter we have,

  • I. David's kingdom established (v. 1, 2).
  • II. His family built up (v. 3-7).
  • III. His enemies, the Philistines, routed in two campaigns (v. 8-17).

This is repeated here from 2 Sa. 5:11, etc.

1Ch 14:1-7

We may observe here,

  • 1. There is no man that has such a sufficiency in himself but he has need of his neighbours and has reason to be thankful for their help: David had a very large kingdom, Hiram a very little one; yet David could not build himself a house to his mind unless Hiram furnished him with both workmen and materials, v. 1. This is a reason why we should despise none, but, as we have opportunity, be obliging to all.
  • 2. It is a great satisfaction to a wise man to be settled, and to a good man to see the special providences of God in his settlement. The people had made David king; but he could not be easy, nor think himself happy, till he perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, v. 2. "Who shall unfix me if God hath fixed me?'
  • 3. We must look upon all our advancements as designed for our usefulness. David's kingdom was lifted up on high, not for his own sake, that he might look great, but because of his people Israel, that he might be a guide and protector to them. We are blessed in order that we may be blessings. See Gen. 12:2. We are not born, nor do we live, for ourselves.
  • 4. It is difficult to thrive without growing secure and indulgent to the flesh. It was David's infirmity that when he settled in his kingdom he took more wives (v. 3), yet the numerous issue he had added to his honour and strength. Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord. We had an account of David's children, not only in Samuel, but in this book (ch. 3:1, etc.) and now here again; for it was their honour to have such a father.

1Ch 14:8-17

This narrative of David's triumph over the Philistines is much the same with that, 2 Sa. 5:17, etc.

  • 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 (v. 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.