1Ch 14 | NETfull | STEP | King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters to build a palace for him.

1 Chronicles 14

David’s Prestige Grows

1 King Hiram of Tyre ^{▼▼ For location see Map1-A2; Map2-G2; Map4-A1; Journey of Paul map 3-F3; Journey of Paul map 4-F3.} sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, ^{▼▼ Heb “craftsman of a wall,” that is, masons skilled at building stone walls.} 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 ^{▼▼ Heb “was lifted upwards.”} his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

3 In Jerusalem ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; Journey of Paul map 1-F4; Journey of Paul map 2-F4; Journey of Paul map 3-F4; Journey of Paul map 4-F4.} David married ^{▼▼ Heb “took.”} 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, ^{▼▼ 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.} and Eliphelet.

8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed ^{▼▼ Or “designated”; NCV “had been made king”; CEV “had become king.”} king of all Israel, all the Philistines marched up to confront him. ^{▼▼ Heb “to seek David.”} When David heard about it, he marched out against ^{▼▼ Heb “went out before.”} them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and raided ^{▼▼ Heb “stripped.”} 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, ^{▼▼ Heb “by my hand.”} God has burst out against my enemies like water bursts out.” So that place is called Baal Perazim. ^{▼▼ The name Baal Perazim means “Lord of outbursts” in Hebrew.} 12 The Philistines left ^{▼▼ Heb “abandoned.”} their idols ^{▼▼ Heb “gods.”} 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. ^{▼▼ Heb “and David again asked God.”} This time ^{▼▼ The words “this time” are not in the Hebrew text.} God told him, “Don’t march up after them; circle around them and come against them in front of the trees. ^{▼▼ 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.} 15 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, then attack. ^{▼▼ Heb “go out in battle.”} For at that moment the Lord is going before you to strike down the army ^{▼▼ Heb “camp.”} 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 ^{▼▼ Heb “the name of David went out.”} in all the lands; the Lord caused all the nations to fear him. ^{▼▼ Heb “and the Lord placed fear of him upon all the nations.”}