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David’s Kingdom Grows

14 Hiram king of the city of Tyre sent messengers to David. He also sent cedar logs, stonecutters and carpenters. He sent them to build a palace for David. Then David knew that the Lord really had made him king of Israel. And he knew the Lord had made his kingdom very important. The Lord did this because he loved his people, the Israelites.

David married more women in Jerusalem. And he had more sons and daughters. These are the names of David’s children born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines

The Philistine people heard that David had been appointed king of all Israel. So all the Philistines went to look for him. When David heard about it, he went out to fight them. The Philistines had attacked and robbed the people in the Valley of Rephaim. 10 David asked God, “Should I go and attack the Philistines? Will you let me defeat them?”

The Lord answered him, “Go. I will let you defeat them.”

11 So David and his men went up to the town of Baal Perazim. There he defeated the Philistines. David said, “Like a flood of water, God has broken through my enemies. He has done this through me.” So that place was named Baal Perazim.[a] 12 The Philistines had left their idols there. So David ordered his men to burn them.

13 Soon the Philistines attacked the people in the valley again. 14 So David prayed to God again, and God answered him. God said, “Don’t attack the Philistines from the front. Instead, go around them. Attack them in front of the balsam trees. 15 You will hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees. Then quickly attack the Philistines. I, God, will have gone out before you to defeat the Philistine army.” 16 David did what God commanded him to do. So David and his men defeated the Philistine army. They killed the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

17 So David became famous in all the countries. And the Lord made all nations afraid of David.

Footnotes

  1. 14:11 Baal Perazim This name means “the Lord breaks through.”

David’s House and Family(A)

14 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs,(B) stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted(C) for the sake of his people Israel.

In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons(D) and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him there:(E) Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada[a] and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines(F)

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel,(G) they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley(H) of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired 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.”

11 So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim,(I) 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.[b] 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn(J) them in the fire.(K)

13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley;(L) 14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 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.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon(M) to Gezer.(N)

17 So David’s fame(O) spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear(P) him.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 14:7 A variant of Eliada
  2. 1 Chronicles 14:11 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.