FRAMEWORKS:
1 Chronicles 14: David's Family & victory over the Philistines
[Introductory
Notes: The previous chapter covered the distressing
events surrounding David trying to move the ark to Jerusalem,
but the recorder steps away from that and deals with it in the
next chapter [ch.15]. For now he focuses on David's preparations
to build himself a palace in Jerusalem, his family, and his triumphs
over his enemy, the Philistines.
v.1,2
David's house plans
v.1
Now Hiram king
of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons
and carpenters to build a palace for him.
v.2
And
David knew that the Lord
had established
him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted
for the sake of his people Israel.
[Notes:
The king of Tyre helps David in building a palace. The
above two verses are almost duplicates of the record in 2 Sam
5:11,12. Hiram later does the same for Solomon in building the
temple – 1 Kings 5. This current help reassures David.]
v.3-7
David's family
v.3
In
Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more
sons and daughters.
v.4
These
are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab,
Nathan, Solomon,
v.5
Ibhar,
Elishua, Elpelet,
v.6
Nogah,
Nepheg, Japhia,
v.7
Elishama,
Beeliada and Eliphelet.
[Notes:
Here we are shown additional members of David's household
– previously David's family recorded in 1 Chron 3.]
v.8-17
David defeats the Philistines
v.8
When
the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all
Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David
heard about it and went out to meet them.
v.9
Now
the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim;
v.10
so
David enquired 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.'
v.11
So
David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, 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.
v.12
The
Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders
to burn them in the fire.
v.13
Once
more the Philistines raided the valley;
v.14
so
David enquired of God again, and God answered
him, ‘Do not go directly after them, but circle round them and
attack them in front of the poplar trees.
v.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.'
v.16
So
David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine
army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
v.17
So
David's fame spread throughout every land, and the Lord
made all the
nations fear him.
[Notes:
The above events are also recorded in 2 Sam 5:17-25.
Remembering that David had, not long beforehand, taken shelter
with the Philistines, now that he is king, they obviously feel
threatened by the fact that he has taken over after they had killed
Saul [1 Sam 31]. The order of ensuing events is as follows:
i)
The Philistines start out to attack David [v.8a] with their whole
army.
ii)
David hears they are coming so goes to meet them [v.8b]
iii)
Hearing they are already in his land [v.9] David asks the Lord
should he attack them [v.10]and the Lord says yes.
iv)
In the following battle David has victory [v.11]
v)
The Philistines flee leaving their idols behind and David has
them destroyed [v.12]
vi)
A SECOND time the Philistines come to raid David's land [v.13]
vii)
AGAIN David consults the Lord who gives him specific but different
instructions [v.14,15] and again David has victory [v.16]
The
big issues of this chapter – that David consults the Lord – almost
come as a direct contrast to the previous chapter where, because
David had failed to do that, disaster had followed. The next chapter
will show how David has learnt this and applies it to taking up
the ark to Jerusalem.]
Continue
to Ch.15