1 Chronicles 14

King Hiram of Tyre aided David in building his house, a sign David recognized as divine confirmation of his kingship. David subsequently expanded his family in Jerusalem. When the Philistines twice attacked, David sought God's counsel, receiving specific battle instructions each time, which led to decisive victories and spread his fame throughout the lands.

The chapter opens with Hiram, King of Tyre, sending materials and craftsmen to David for the construction of his royal house, a gesture David recognized as divine confirmation of his elevated kingship over Israel. Following this, David took more wives in Jerusalem and fathered numerous children, whose names are listed. The narrative then shifts to two significant military encounters with the Philistines. In the first, the Philistines invaded the Valley of Rephaim, prompting David to inquire of God, who commanded him to attack, resulting in a victory at Baalperazim and the destruction of Philistine idols. When the Philistines attacked a second time, David again sought divine guidance, receiving a new strategy to wait for a sound in the mulberry trees before engaging. David faithfully executed this command, achieving another comprehensive victory from Gibeon to Gazer, which solidified his reputation and spread the fear of him among surrounding nations.

The fourteenth chapter of 1 Chronicles commences with King Hiram of Tyre initiating diplomatic relations with David by sending timber of cedars, masons, and carpenters to construct a royal house for him. David interpreted this act as clear evidence that the LORD had firmly established him as king over all Israel, recognizing that his kingdom was exalted for the sake of his people. Following this, David expanded his household in Jerusalem by taking additional wives and fathering more sons and daughters. The text then provides a detailed list of thirteen of his children born in Jerusalem, including notable figures like Nathan and Solomon. The narrative then transitions to two distinct military confrontations with the Philistines, who sought to challenge David's reign. Upon hearing of David's anointing as king over all Israel, the Philistines advanced into the Valley of Rephaim. David, demonstrating his reliance on divine guidance, inquired of God whether he should engage them and if victory would be granted. The LORD affirmed his request, commanding him to attack, which led to a decisive victory at Baalperazim, a name David gave to commemorate God's "breaking forth" upon his enemies. Significantly, the Philistines' abandoned idols were subsequently burned by David's command. Undeterred, the Philistines again spread themselves in the valley. David, maintaining his practice of seeking divine counsel, inquired of God a second time. This time, God provided a different, more strategic instruction: not to attack directly but to circle around and engage them from the direction of the mulberry trees, waiting for a sound in their tops as a sign of God's presence going before him. David meticulously followed these specific divine instructions, resulting in a thorough defeat of the Philistine host, from Gibeon even to Gazer. Consequently, David's fame and reputation extended throughout all lands, and the LORD instilled the fear of him upon all nations, solidifying his position as a divinely empowered monarch.