Read 1 Chronicles 14
David’s House and Family
14 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. 2 And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.
3 In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sonsand daughters. 4 These are the names of the children born to him there:Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines
8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley 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, 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. 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burnthem in the fire.
13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley; 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 to Gezer.
17 So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear him.
Go Deeper
There are three main sections (or movements) to this chapter of scripture. Let’s look at each of them today.
The first movement comes in verses 1-2. The Lord not only established David as king over Israel, but He also put him in a place of great influence and importance. Neighboring kings sent materials for the establishment of the house of David which evidenced the fact that David was more than a man of war; he also knew how to build important political alliances. David knew two things that godly leaders should know. First, he knew that he was called by the Lord. On top of that, he knew he was not lifted up for his own sake, but for the sake of the people of Israel.
Then, in verses 3-7, David fell short by disobeying the law in Deuteronomy 17:17 by taking multiple wives. Second Samuel 5:13 tells us that David also took more concubines when he lived in Jerusalem. This sinful behavior is a main part of the trouble in his life now and later (Bathsheba). While David seemed anointed and powerful, he sowed seeds of trials in his life through his relationships with multiple women and their children.
Finally, we read in verses 8-17 about the victory over the Philistines. David was obviously known as a success when it came to war. God delivered many victories during David’s reign, including three in this chapter. David repeatedly demonstrated his faith and dependence on the Lord. David sought the Lord’s leadership before going into battle. David obeyed in the destruction of all of the idols left behind at Baal Perazim and David followed instructions to wait on the Lord before giving himself completely to the battle.
Focusing on David’s obedience is a good place to land in this text. His ability to wait for God’s plan to unfold and not take matters into his own hands is exactly what we should do as believers as we work to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Waiting for God looks like us committing to prayer and devotion, believing in the Holy Spirit, and being open to confession and repentance.
As David worked to align himself with the Lord, he prospered and was protected by Him. Isn’t this what we want for our walk with the Lord? God wants to bless us when we submit to a right relationship with Him and are used as lights to those around us. Even through David’s imperfection, we can see a Holy Lord who built a physical house for David. We also know that He is preparing a much better place for us in eternity. In this text God has shown us David going through trials and how, through obedience and patience, he was ultimately lifted up in his relationship with God. In Jesus, we have a “better” David who is not only close to God, but is God, and allows us to find Him and be in right relationship through tests and trials. The “better” David has prepared a place for us, through grace, in His glory.
Questions
- When can you find a time and place to listen for the voice of the Lord and His Holy Spirit before acting of your accord?
- How was a young King David vastly different from King Saul?
- How can we work to make our tests our testimonies?
Listen Here
Sometimes listening to a text improves our understanding of a text we just read. It also can remove our distractions when we read and get pulled away by our thoughts. Listen to this audio version of 1 Chronicles 14.
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3 thoughts on “1 Chronicles 14”
At times it’s confusing to read of “the man after God’s own heart”—David, who did so many things right but also had huge slip ups. Having many wives & concubines was common among nobility in this culture, but clearly wasn’t God’s ideal. Like us, David reaped what he sowed. Yet, God continually gave him honor and success for a special reason, for the sake of his people, Israel. Imperfect as we are, God has placed us right where we are with gifts and abilities to build and serve his kingdom. As David so often did, we must continually inquire/ask God for his presence and guidance before going into our own battles. Take a few moments and read Isaiah 55:6-13 and be encouraged to seek the Lord. He will graciously be found.
Taste and See by Shane & Shane is great reminder:
https://youtu.be/yOzf0VrDNGU
David was a “man after God’s on heart” but he still was a man who made mistakes. He even got angry with God last chapter but he learned. Even when we hear God but don’t do, does not mean we are finished and God dust His hands from us. David learned from his failure and prayed first before going to battle (he should have prayed about the wives but again he was human). Instead of letting pride get in after the first battle, and saying look at me or it worked the first time so let’s do it again, he PRAYED again. WOW what detail God gave that second time. How amazingly comforting to know that God goes before you I have been singing Shane and Shane song “O taste and see” it is Psalm 34. Some of the lyrics are
I sought the Lord
And He answered me
And delivered me
From every fear
I believe when we seek Him, He will answer us but we really have to listen sometimes His voice is so gentle that we need to be paying close attention. .
https://g.co/kgs/iSZtCs
Thank You God for giving me the desire to truly hear and heed Your voice, even when it is to confront things head on (which I do not like at all). BUT GOD You know my heart and my fears. Thank You for delivering me from those fears and being near to me at all times. Thank You that You go before me and come after me to be with me. I am so grateful for Your guidance, love, mercy, joy, kindness, compassion, faithfulness, that I do not deserve but You so freely give and I am so grateful to receive in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!