Introduction
Gill, in his commentary, gives us a useful summary of this chapter.
‘This chapter gives an account of the message of Hiram king of Tyre to David, and of David’s taking him more wives, with the names of his children by them and of two battles he fought with the Philistines, in which he had the victory over them, the same is recorded in 2 Samuel 5:11. The chapter is concluded by observing, that the fame of David, on account of his victories, was spread in all countries, and they were struck with a panic from the Lord and were in dread of him.’
David’s House And Family
‘Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. 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. In Jerusalem, David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.’ 1 Chronicles 14:1-7
There were two people named Hiram who worked in building the temple. This Hiram was the king of Tyre, 2 Samuel 5:11-25, and the other Hiram was in charge of building the temple, 1 Chronicles 3:5-8.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘When we compare 2 Samuel 5:11-25, the only important variations from which are in 1 Chronicles 14:4-7, the list of the sons of David, 1 Chronicles 3:1, and in 1 Chronicles 14:12, where the fact is added that the idols taken from the Philistines were burned.’
Notice David took more wives, which was total disobedience to God’s commands, Deuteronomy 17:17. We also know that David took more concubines when he lived in Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 5:13.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘In spite of the fact that David’s notorious sins against Bathsheba and Uriah are not mentioned here, there is no effort whatever to conceal his multiplying unto himself wives and concubines specifically contrary to the Law of God.’
Solomon who was to become the future king of Israel is first introduced here as the fourth son of David. He was one of the thirteen children who were born to David while he lived in Jerusalem, 1 Chronicles 3:5-8.
David Defeats The Philistines
‘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. Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; 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.” 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. The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn them in the fire.’ 1 Chronicles 14:8-12
The Philistines whom David had formerly correlated with while fleeing from Saul, gathered together against him when they heard that he was anointed king over Israel. In this case, this was a pre-emptive attack against David, 2 Samuel 5:17-25.
They must have thought before David could assemble an army, they could easily defeat him, but this wasn’t the case. Notice David was wise enough to inquire of God before entering the battle, after, he does as God commands and wins the victory.
This defeat of the Philistines at Baal-Perazim was like waters which broke out from a dam, 1 Chronicles 13:9-12, and this was the beginning of David’s victories over the Philistines that would eventually lead to their total subjugation by the end of the reign.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following concerning the gods that were left.
‘The practice of carrying images of the gods to battle was common among the nations of antiquity and arose from the belief that there was virtue in the images themselves, and that military success would be obtained by means of them.’
‘Once more the Philistines raided the valley; 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. 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.” So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him.’ 1 Chronicles 14:13-17
Notice the first thing David did here, he again inquired of God, before heading into the battle. God then tells him how to go about winning this battle by attacking them from behind.
They were to wait until they heard ‘the sound of marching’, it appears that they were to hide, until God made the sound of rustling leaves in the canopies of the poplar trees, 2 Samuel 5:24.
After defeating the Philistines, David’s fame spread and the nations around feared him because they didn’t want the same happening to them. David achieved what Saul failed to do, that is, bring all the Promised Land under the control of the Israelites.
Payne, in his commentary, says the following, concerning David.
‘Because he looked to the Lord for his strength and his strategy, he was able to beat back to Philistine offences, to secure the independence of God’s people, and to terminate forever the threat of Philistine conquest and oppression.’