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Events of David’s Reign

14 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters to build a palace for him. David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel because his kingdom had been lifted high for the sake of his people Israel.

David took wives in Jerusalem and fathered sons and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Be’eliada, and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines

The Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel. So all the Philistines went up to search for David. David heard about it and went out to face them. The Philistines came and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. 10 David asked God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?”

The Lord said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” 11 So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated the Philistines there. David said, “By my hand God has broken through my enemies like a wall of water.” That is why they named that place Baal Perazim.[a] 12 The Philistines abandoned their gods there. David gave the order, and they were burned with fire.

13 The Philistines made another raid in the valley. 14 David again consulted God. God said to him, “Do not go directly at them. Go around them and come to them in the area of the balsam trees.[b] 15 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, you are to go out in battle, because God has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” 16 David did what God had commanded him, and they struck the army of the Philistines from Gibeon to Gezer.

17 David’s reputation spread into all the lands. The Lord caused all the nations to be terrified.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 14:11 Baal Perazim means lord of breakthroughs.
  2. 1 Chronicles 14:14 The identification of the type of tree is uncertain. Other suggestions are mulberry trees, aspens, or mastic trees.

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.