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1 Chronicles 14

God establishes David’s rule for Israel’s sake and defeats the Philistines as David seeks and follows his commands.

Hiram, king of Tyre, sends David cedar and skilled workers to build a house in Jerusalem. David recognizes that YHWH has established his kingship for Israel’s sake, and the account records his growing household. When the Philistines raid the valley of Rephaim, David asks God whether to fight. A second raid brings a different command. David follows God’s directions, defeats the Philistines, and gains fame as YHWH brings fear of him upon the nations.

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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,
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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Key verses
1 Chronicles 14:1Hiram’s building materials and skilled workers provide a concrete sign of David’s growing standing as king.
1 Chronicles 14:9The raid in Rephaim brings a direct threat to David’s rule and leads him to seek God’s direction.
1 Chronicles 14:11David credits God with breaking through his enemies, and the place name preserves that account of victory.
Where this chapter reaches

2 Samuel recounts the same events involving Hiram’s help, David’s household, and the two Philistine attacks, including God’s changed battle instructions. 1 Kings shares the person of Hiram and the use of cedar and skilled workers for royal building projects under Solomon.

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What do you notice about David asking God again when the Philistines return?

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How does the phrase “for his people Israel’s sake” shape your understanding of David’s rise?

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Questions people ask about 1 Chronicles 14

What does Baal Perazim mean in 1 Chronicles 14?

Baal Perazim means lord or master of breakthroughs. Verse 11 connects the name with David’s description of God breaking through his enemies like water bursting out. The name marks the place of victory and preserves David’s claim that God brought the defeat about through his hand.

What was the sound in the mulberry trees in 1 Chronicles 14?

God tells David to listen for marching in the treetops before attacking. The sound serves as the signal that God has gone ahead to strike the Philistine army. The account does not explain how the sound was produced or identify any visible force moving through the trees.

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1 Chronicles · 29 chapters
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).