David's recognition that his kingdom was "highly exalted for his people Israel's sake" uniquely frames royal authority as divine stewardship rather than personal achievement.
1 Chronicles 14
David's House and Victories over the Philistines
1Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons, and carpenters, to build him a house.
2David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted, for his people Israel’s sake.
3David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David became the father of more sons and daughters.
4These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
5Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
6Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
7Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
8When 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.
10David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” The LORD said to him, “Go up; for I will deliver them into your hand.”
11So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like waters breaking out. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim.
12They left their gods there; and David gave a command, and they were burned with fire.
13The Philistines made another raid in the valley.
14David inquired again of God; and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them. Turn away from them, and come on them opposite the mulberry trees.
15When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then go out to battle; for God has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”
16David did as God commanded him; and they attacked the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.
17The fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him on all nations.
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Theme
This chapter chronicles David's establishment as king through international recognition, family expansion, and decisive military victories. Hiram of Tyre's diplomatic overtures and construction of David's palace demonstrate his growing political stature, while his expanding household reflects royal prosperity. David's two strategic victories over the Philistines, achieved through divine consultation and obedience to God's specific battle instructions, establish his military dominance and spread his reputation throughout the ancient Near East.
Context
Following David's capture of Jerusalem and the ark's arrival in chapter 13, this chapter demonstrates the consolidation of his reign before the detailed plans for the temple in subsequent chapters.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 International Recognition and Divine Confirmation Hiram of Tyre sends materials and craftsmen to build David's house, confirming God's establishment of his kingdom.
- 3-7 David's Expanding Household David takes additional wives and fathers more children in Jerusalem, including the future king Solomon.
- 8-12 First Victory Over the Philistines David seeks God's guidance and defeats the Philistines at Baal Perazim, burning their abandoned idols.
- 13-17 Second Victory and Growing Fame Following God's specific battle strategy involving mulberry trees, David achieves another victory that spreads his fame internationally.
David's House and Victories over the Philistines
14:1–14:17 narrative narration triumphant
Describes David's establishment in Jerusalem, his growing family, and decisive victories over the Philistines through divine guidance. Demonstrates God's blessing and establishment of David's kingdom.
person_contrast
David's recognition that his kingdom was "highly exalted for his people Israel's sake" uniquely frames royal authority as divine stewardship rather than personal achievement.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
1 Chronicles 14:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Samuel 5:11 Lexical
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.
1 Kings 6:15 Lexical
He built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar; from the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he…
Ezra 3:7 Lexical
They also gave money to the masons and to the carpenters. They also gave food, drink, and oil to the people of Sidon and…
1 Kings 9:11 Lexical
(now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and cypress trees, and with gold, according to all hi…
1 Kings 6:16 Lexical
He built twenty cubits of the back part of the house with boards of cedar from the floor to the ceiling. He built this w…
1 Chronicles 14:4 2 references
1 Chronicles 14:5 2 references
1 Chronicles 14:6 2 references
1 Chronicles 14:7 3 references
1 Chronicles 14:8 1 reference
1 Chronicles 14:9 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Samuel 23:13 Lexical
Three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of…
2 Samuel 5:18 Lexical
Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
1 Chronicles 11:15 Lexical
Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines…
2 Samuel 5:22 Lexical
The Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
1 Chronicles 14:11 3 references
Lexicals 3
2 Samuel 5:20 Lexical
David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there. Then he said, “The LORD has broken my enemies before me, like t…
1 Chronicles 13:11 Lexical
David was displeased, because the LORD had broken out against Uzza. He called that place Perez Uzza, to this day.
2 Samuel 6:8 Lexical
David was displeased because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah to this day.
1 Chronicles 14:13 1 reference
1 Chronicles 14:14 1 reference
1 Chronicles 14:15 1 reference
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v. 17
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