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David in Jerusalem

14 Now King Hiram of Tyre sent men with cedar trees to David. With them came men who worked with stone and wood. They came to build a house for him. David understood that the Lord had made him to be king of Israel. He knew that his nation was very honored because of God’s people Israel.

Then David took more wives at Jerusalem. He became the father of more sons and daughters. The names of the children born to him in Jerusalem are Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.

Battle with the Philistines

The Philistines heard that David had been chosen as king of all Israel. So they went up to look for him. David heard of it and went out against them. Now the Philistines had come to fight a surprise battle in the valley of Rephaim. 10 David asked God, “Should I go fight against the Philistines? Will You give them to me?” And the Lord said to him, “Go, for I will give them to you.” 11 So they came up to Baal-perazim, and David won the battle against them there. David said, “By my hand God has broken through those who hate me, like the breaking through of a flood.” So they gave that place the name Baal-perazim. 12 The Philistines left their gods there. So David had them burned with fire.

13 The Philistines fought another surprise battle in the valley. 14 So David asked God again what he should do. God said to him, “Do not go after them. Go around behind them, and come upon them in front of the balsam trees. 15 When you hear the sound of their steps in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle. For God will have gone out before you to destroy the Philistine army.” 16 David did just as God had told him, and they destroyed the Philistine army from Gibeon as far as Gezer. 17 Then the name of David became known in all the lands. The Lord brought the fear of him upon all the nations.

David’s House and Family(A)

14 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs,(B) stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted(C) for the sake of his people Israel.

In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons(D) and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him there:(E) Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada[a] and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines(F)

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel,(G) they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley(H) of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.”

11 So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim,(I) and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.[b] 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn(J) them in the fire.(K)

13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley;(L) 14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 15 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon(M) to Gezer.(N)

17 So David’s fame(O) spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear(P) him.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 14:7 A variant of Eliada
  2. 1 Chronicles 14:11 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.