1 Chronicles 14

God’s Blessing on David

14King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David, ^oalong with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters to build a palace for him. ²Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been exalted for the sake of His people Israel.

³David took more wives in Jerusalem, and he became the father of more sons and daughters. ⁴These ^pare the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, ⁵Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, ⁶Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, ⁷Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

⁸When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they all went in search of David; when David heard of this, he went out to face them. ⁹Now the Philistines had come and raided in the Valley of Rephaim, ^q10so David inquired of God, “Should I go to war against the Philistines? Will You hand them over to me?”

The Lord replied, “Go, and I will hand them over to you.”

¹¹So the Israelites went up to Baal-perazim, and David defeated the Philistines there. Then David said, “Like a bursting flood, God has used me to burst out against my enemies.” Therefore, they named that place the Lord Bursts Out. ^r12The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David ordered that they be burned in the fire.

¹³Once again the Philistines raided in the valley. ¹⁴So David again inquired of God, and God answered him, “Do not pursue them directly. Circle around them and attack them opposite the balsam trees. ¹⁵When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then march out to battle, for God will have marched out ahead of you to attack the camp of the Philistines.” ¹⁶So David did exactly as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. ¹⁷Then David’s fame spread throughout the lands, and the Lord caused all the nations to be terrified of him. ^s