The First Book of the Chronicles
1 Chronicles 14
Chapter XIV · Vol. II, pp. 825–826
1 Hiram sendeth timber and builders to David. 2 The prosperity of David's kingdom. 8 His two signal victories over the Philistines.
1 Now Hirama king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.1
B.C. 1046.
a 2 Sa.5.11,12. 1 Ki.5.1.
1 The low state of the mechanical arts in Israel cannot surprise when the disastrous period since the days of Joshua is considered. David, as a wise king, imports the skill of other countries, and demonstrates how reformation in religion is the surest handmaid of national improvement. C.—The Phœnicians of Tyre were, from the earliest ages, famed for their architectural genius, and for their skill in masonry and in ship-building. The massive foundations and walls still existing in Tyre, Sidon, Gebal, and Arvad, afford some magnificent specimens of mural architecture. It is worthy of note that these remains of former greatness are similar in style to the remains of the temple and castle in Jerusalem.—P.
2 And David perceived that the bLORD had confirmed him king over Israel; for his kingdom was lifted up on high, cbecause of his people Israel.
3 And David dtook more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.
d 2 Sa.5.13-16. ch.3.5-8, with De.17.17.
4 Nowe these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua,2 and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,3
6 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
8 And when the Philistines hheard4 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.
h 2 Sa.5.17-23. Jos.10.3; 11.2. Re.11.17,18; 17.14. Ps.2.1-5; 118.10-13; 22.16.
4 B.C. 1047.
9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of iRephaim.5
i Or, giants, 2 Sa.5.18,22. Ge.14.5. Jos.15.8. Is.17.5.
5 Translated, Jos. 15. 8, 'the valley of the giants,' and lies to the south-west of Jerusalem. It was exceedingly fertile, a circumstance that fitted it for the muster of the Philistine army.—C.
10 And David kinquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.
k Ju.1.1; 20.18,23,28. 1 Sa.23.2,4,12; 30.7. Nu.27.21. 2 Sa.2.1; 5.19. Pr.3.5,6. Ps.73.28.
11 So they came up to Baal-perazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, lGod hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand, like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim.m
12 And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they nwere burnt with fire.6
n De.7.25. Ex.32.20. 2 Ki.23.4,6,15,16.
6 David did not retain them as trophies of victory, or subjects of curiosity, but destroyed them by fire—an example which, had it been followed by Christians, would in all human probability have prevented that influx of picture and image worship by which so large a portion both of the eastern and western churches has been so grievously inundated.—C.
13 And the Philistines oyet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.
o 2 Sa.5.22. 1 Ki.20.22. Is.26.11. Ps.2.1-4.
14 Therefore David inquired again of God: and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.
15 And it shall be, when thou pshalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
p 2 Ki.7.6; 19.7. Hab.3.6-15. Ju.7.9-15. Le.26.7,8,36.
16 David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from qGibeon even to Gazer.7
q Jos.9.17; 10.33; 21.17,21. 2 Sa.5.25. The battle was fought near Gibeon and Geba.
7 Most probably Gezer, a city of Ephraim, Jos. 10. 33, the precise site of which is not now known.—C.
Notes
[Ver. 8. The Philistines went up to seek David. Why did they wait so long during David's weakness and contests with the family of Saul? Hitherto as the head of a weak, divided, and self-wasted kingdom, they did not fear him. They perhaps had politically fomented the national strife, or encouraged the weaker against the stronger party, in hopes of the ruin of both by mutual wounds; but now that all parties have united in favour of David, the Philistines are roused to a sense of danger, and assemble to crush him before he could be supposed able to concentrate his forces. C.]
Reflections.—No man hath such sufficiency of his own as not to need the help of his neighbours. Let me therefore be thankful for their assistance: but let my sufficiency be of God. It is pleasant for the godly to discern God's hand even in their earthly settlements. And all advancements ought to be considered as intended for usefulness—for the glory of God and good of mankind. Rarely do even good men prosper in worldly things without waxing secure and too indulgent to the flesh. Little ease indeed must be expected in this world to the church of Christ or to the souls of his people. But if we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, he will direct our paths and make us more than conquerors. Carefully must we attend to the directions of his word, or even motions of his Spirit and providence: and depending on his conduct and strength, we may gird up our loins, gird on our armour, resist the devil, and make him to flee from us. If God deliver my corruptions into my hand, let me, all inflamed with holy zeal, burn them up, and mark the strongest detestation of idolatry, and every monument of it. And let Jesus have all the glory: let his name only be exalted, and his glory fill the whole earth.