1 Chronicles 14

1 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons, and carpenters, to build him a house.

2 David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted, for his people Israel’s sake.

3 David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David became the father of more sons and daughters.

4 These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,

6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

8 When 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.

9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim.

10 David 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.”

11 So 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.

12 They left their gods there; and David gave a command, and they were burned with fire.

13 The Philistines made another raid in the valley.

14 David 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.

15 When 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.”

16 David did as God commanded him; and they attacked the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.

17 The fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him on all nations.

Around 1 Chronicles 14

Context

Context for this book is being written. A note appears here only once it names its sources.

AI explanation

1 Chronicles 14 · Written by an AI model · Not reviewed by a theological reader

This explanation was written by an AI model to help you get started. It names no sources and can contain mistakes. Scripture comes first, and context with sources is shown separately on this page.

What this chapter says

A foreign king sends gifts to David before the Philistines send an army. Hiram of Tyre sends cedar trees, masons and carpenters to build David a house, and David perceives that the LORD has established him. The chapter lists the sons born to him in Jerusalem, Solomon among them. Then comes trouble. The Philistines hear that David has been anointed over all Israel, and they go up to find him, raiding the valley of Rephaim. David does not simply fight. He asks God, and God says go up. At Baal Perazim he wins, and the name of the place means breaking out, like waters. When the Philistines come again, God gives a different answer: do not go straight up, wait among the mulberry trees until you hear marching in the treetops. David obeys, and his fame goes out into all lands.

Background

The chapter parallels 2 Samuel 5. Its lesson is in the two battles, one question and two different answers. The writer wants readers to see that David's victories come from asking God each time rather than repeating what worked before. Many scholars think Chronicles was written for a community after the exile, which was learning how to depend on God without a king. Solomon's birth is mentioned here only briefly.

About this explanation

Written by Claude Sonnet 5.5, an AI model, on 1 November 2026. It draws on the WEB text and general knowledge and was not checked against sources by a person. Every quotation from Scripture is checked automatically against the WEB text.

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World English Bible. Public-domain source and edition notes