1 Chronicles 14
1And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar-trees, and masons, and carpenters, to build him a house. 2And David perceived that Jehovah had established him king over Israel; for his kingdom was exalted on high, for his people Israel’s sake. 3And David took more wives at Jerusalem; and David begat more sons and daughters.
4And these are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, 5and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpelet, 6and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, 7and Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
8And 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. 9Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10And David inquired of God, saying, 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.
11So they came up to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there; and David said, God hath broken mine enemies by my hand, like the breach of waters. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
12And they left their gods there; and David gave commandment, and they were burned with fire. 13And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley.
14And 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. 15And it shall be, 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. 16And David did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer. 17And the fame of David went out into all lands; and Jehovah brought the fear of him upon all nations.
What is 1 Chronicles 14 about?
The narrative pauses to display the LORD's blessing on the newly settled king. The chapter recounts how Hiram of Tyre sent craftsmen and cedar to build David a house, how David's household grew with sons born in Jerusalem, and how, when the Philistines came up against him twice, he inquired of God and won two victories, at Baal-perazim and by the mulberry trees, burning the idols the enemy left behind. Setting David's growing renown against his humble inquiry of God, the account shows a king who sought the LORD before he acted. His fame, Ezra notes, went out into all lands—not by his own might, but because God was establishing him for the sake of His people.
Matthew Henry on 1 Chronicles 14