1 Chronicles 14
The Message
David Builds
14 1-7 King Hiram of Tyre sent an envoy to David, along with cedar lumber, masons, and carpenters to build him a royal palace. Then David knew for sure that God had confirmed him as king over Israel, because of the rising reputation that God was giving his kingdom for the benefit of his people Israel. David married more wives and had more children in Jerusalem. His children born in Jerusalem were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
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8-9 The minute the Philistines heard that David had been made king over a united Israel, they went out in force to capture David. When David got the report, he marched out to confront them. On their way, the Philistines stopped off to plunder the Valley of Rephaim.
10 David prayed to God: “Is this the right time to attack the Philistines? Will you give me the victory?”
God answered, “Attack; I’ll give you the victory.”
11-12 David attacked at Baal Perazim and slaughtered them. David said, “God exploded my enemies, as water explodes from a burst pipe.” That’s how the place got its name, Baal Perazim (Baal-Explosion). The Philistines left their gods behind and David ordered that they be burned up.
13-15 And then the Philistines were back at it again, plundering in the valley. David again prayed to God. God answered, “This time don’t attack head-on; circle around and come at them out of the balsam grove. When you hear a sound like shuffling feet in the tops of the balsams, attack; God will be two steps ahead of you, slaughtering the Philistines.”
16 David did exactly as God commanded, slaughtering Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
17 David was soon famous all over the place, far and near; and God put the fear of God into the godless nations.
1 Chronicles 14
New English Translation
David’s Prestige Grows
14 King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons,[a] and carpenters to build a palace for him. 2 David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that he had elevated[b] his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
3 In Jerusalem David married[c] more wives and fathered more sons and daughters. 4 These are the names of children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada,[d] and Eliphelet.
8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed[e] king of all Israel, all the Philistines marched up to confront him.[f] When David heard about it, he marched out against[g] them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and raided[h] the Valley of Rephaim. 10 David asked God, “Should I march up against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord said to him, “March up! I will hand them over to you!” 11 So they marched against Baal Perazim and David defeated them there. David said, “Using me as his instrument,[i] God has burst out against my enemies like water bursts out.” So that place is called Baal Perazim.[j] 12 The Philistines left[k] their idols[l] there, so David ordered that they be burned.
13 The Philistines again raided the valley. 14 So David again asked God what he should do.[m] This time[n] God told him, “Don’t march up after them; circle around them and come against them in front of the trees.[o] 15 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, then attack.[p] For at that moment God is going before you to strike down the army[q] of the Philistines.” 16 David did just as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.
17 So David became famous[r] in all the lands; the Lord caused all the nations to fear him.[s]
Footnotes
- 1 Chronicles 14:1 tn Heb “craftsman of a wall,” that is, masons skilled at building stone walls.
- 1 Chronicles 14:2 tn Heb “was lifted upwards.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:3 tn Heb “took.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:7 tn In 1 Chr 3:8 and 2 Sam 5:16 this name appears as “Eliada.” The form here represents a variant spelling of the name.
- 1 Chronicles 14:8 tn Or “designated”; NCV “had been made king”; CEV “had become king.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:8 tn Heb “to seek David.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:8 tn Heb “went out before.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:9 tn Heb “stripped.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:11 tn Heb “by my hand.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:11 sn The name Baal Perazim means “Lord of outbursts” in Hebrew.
- 1 Chronicles 14:12 tn Heb “they abandoned.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:12 tn Heb “gods.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:14 tn Heb “and David again consulted with God.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:14 tn The words “this time” are not in the Hebrew text.
- 1 Chronicles 14:14 tn The Hebrew word translated “trees” is defined by HALOT 129 s.v. בָּכָא as “shrubs.” Some translate “balsam trees” (see BDB 113 s.v. בָּכָא), cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT.
- 1 Chronicles 14:15 tn Heb “go out in battle.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:15 tn Heb “camp.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:17 tn Heb “the name of David went out.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:17 tn Heb “and the Lord placed fear of him upon all the nations.”
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