1 Chronicles 14

Chapter context

What is happening in 1 Chronicles 14?

memoryworshipgenealogyDavid

1 Chronicles 14 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as Saul’s death. First Chronicles surveys Israel through genealogies and then retells David’s reign with special attention to worship, Levites, and preparations for the temple. Read this chapter with the wider themes of memory, worship, and genealogy in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

¹ 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.

Study helps

Glossary

David Person v. 1-3, 8, 10-12, 14, 16-17: Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25 .
Tyre Place v. 1: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tyre.
Jerusalem Place v. 3-4: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Nathan Person v. 4: Given. (1. ) A prophet in the reigns of David and Solomon ( 2 Chr. 9:29 ). He is first spoken of in connection with the arrangements David made for the building of the temple.
Shammua Tribe v. 4: Heard. (1. ) One of the spies sent out by Moses to search the land ( Num. 13:4 ). He represented the tribe of Reuben. (2. ) One of David’s sons ( 1 Chr. 14:4 ; 3:5 , “Shimea;” 2 Sam. 5:14 ).
Shobab Person v. 4: Apostate. (1. ) One of David’s sons by Bathseheba ( 2 Sam. 5:14 ). (2. ) One of the sons of Caleb ( 1 Chr. 2:18 ), the son of Hezron.
Elishua Person v. 5: God his salvation, a son of David, 2 Sam. 5:15 = Elishama, 1 Chr. 3:6 .
Elishama Person v. 7: Whom God hears. (1. ) A prince of Benjamin, grandfather of Joshua ( Num. 1:10 ; 1 Chr. 7:26 ). (2. ) One of David’s sons ( 2 Sam. 5:16 ). (3. ) Another of David’s sons ( 1 Chr. 3:6 ).
Valley of Rephaim Place v. 9: Biblical valley. Modern identification: Valley of Rephaim.
Baal-perazim Place v. 11: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Ez Zuhur.
Gezer Place v. 16: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Gezer.
Gibeon Place v. 16: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: El Jib.