1 Chronicles 14
Reading Time: 3 minutes Listen
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.
2 And David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.
3 And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.
4 Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
5 And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
6 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
7 And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.
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 Baalperazim; 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 Baalperazim.
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.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
Finally David was king over all Israel. The Philistines heard, and likely remembered when David had come to them for refuge against Saul. They had to capture him. So they arrived and began to raid the Valley of Rephaim. David had heard they were coming and marched out to meet them. He asked God, “Should I go out to meet the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” God assured David He would help him, and when the battle was won, they named the place “The Lord Bursts Through!” David also conquered the Philistines’ “gods” and burned them, because they were abandoned there in the valley.
Soon the Philistines were back in Rephaim. Again David asked God what he should do. God instructed him not to attack directly, but to circle around and wait in the aspen trees [or poplar, balsam, mulberry]. When he heard the sound of a “going”—or marching troops—in the tops of the trees, that was the time to spring a surprise attack, the sign that God was there to go with him to victory.
What if we would pray like David did, truly open for God’s instructions?
Surely God doesn’t play favorites.
Virginia Davidson
Artist (stained glass)
Spokane Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church
Washington USA
