14:2God gave David honor and success, but not simply for David's personal gain. David realized that God had prospered him for a special reason—for the sake of God's people! Often we are tempted to use our position or possessions only for our own good. Instead, we must remember that God has placed us where we are and given us all we have so that we may encourage others and give to those in need..
Life Application Study Bible1 ChroniclesChapter 14
1 Chronicles 14
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 642, 643
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
141 Chronicles 14
David's Palace and Family
114 Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber, and stonemasons and carpenters to build him a palace. 2And David realized that the LORD had confirmed him as king over Israel and had greatly blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 3Then David married more wives in Jerusalem, and they had more sons and daughters. 4These are the names of David’s sons who were born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7Elishama, Eliada,* and Eliphelet.
David Conquers the Philistines
88When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they n mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he marched out to meet them. 9The Philistines arrived and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10So David asked God, 11Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD replied, “ Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you.” $0 David and his troops went up to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. “God did it!” David exclaimed. “He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” So they named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the LORD who bursts through”). 12The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, so David gave orders to burn them. 13But after a while the Philistines returned and raided the valley again. 14And once again David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar* trees. 15When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, go out and attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” 16So David did what God commanded, and they struck down the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 17So David's fame spread everywhere, and the LORD caused all the nations to fear David.
Textual footnotes
- compare 3:8 and parailel text at 2 Sam 5:16.
- 14:7 Hebrew Beeliada, a variant spelling of Eliada;
- 14:14 Or aspen, or baisam; also in 14:15. The exact identification of this tree is uncertain.
Life Application Notes 6 notes
14:3Accumulating wives and concubines in a harem was the custom of the day among Middle Eastern royalty, but it was not God’s ideal (Genesis 2:24). David's marriages brought him greater power and influence, but they also caused strife, jealousy, and even murder within his family. (See the chart in 2 Samuel 11, p. 479, for other consequences of polygamy.)
14:8-16A map of this battle is in 2 Samuel 5, p. 469.
14:10Before David went to battle, he inquired of God first, asking for his presence and guidance. Too often we wait until we are in trouble before turning to God. By then the consequences of our actions are already unfolding. Da you ask for God's heip only as a desperate last resort? instead, go to him first! Like David, you may receive incredible help and avoid serious trouble. Make sure you give God the credit when you see what he does on your behalf.
14:12David's quick and decisive action against idols helped unify his kingdom and focus the people on worshiping the one true God. He was obeying the law that said, “You must break down their pagan altars and shatter their sacred pillars. Cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols” (Deuteronomy 7:5). Most of David's successors failed to destroy idols, and this led to unbelievable moral corruption in Israel.
14:12Often the soldiers wanted to keep souvenirs from the battle (and 2 Samuel 5:21 states that some of the men kept some of these idols), but David ordered them to burn the idols. The only proper response to sin is to get rid of it completely. You cannot be a follower of God while continuing to hold on to parts of your life where God is not the center of your thoughts and actions. Eliminate whatever takes God's rightful place in your life, and follow him with complete devotion.