Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of 1 Chronicles
Chapter 14: David Enquired of God
God confirms David's throne: Hiram of Tyre sends builders, David's house grows, and he perceives that the LORD has lifted up his kingdom for the sake of His people. Then the Philistines come, twice, and twice David does what Saul failed to do and what David himself had neglected with the ark: he enquires of God before he acts, and obeys exactly. The result is total victory, and the fame of David spreads to all lands. This is the fruit of seeking the LORD.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of 1 Chronicles chapter 14. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Hebrew words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
The LORD Confirmed Him King (1 Chronicles 14:1-7)
Hiram builds David a house, and David perceives that his exaltation is God's gift for the sake of God's people.
His Kingdom Was Lifted Up on High
"Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house. And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel. And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters. Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet, And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet."
Word Study
"confirmed," Hebrew hekhino from kun (כּוּן), to establish, make firm, set fast. With the throne secure and Jerusalem taken, the blessings of a settled kingdom flow. Hiram of Tyre, a foreign king, sends cedar and skilled craftsmen to build David a royal house, a sign of David's growing standing among the nations. The key verse is David's own insight: "David perceived that the LORD had confirmed (kun, established) him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel." Two things are beautiful here. First, David rightly credits God, not himself: it was the LORD who confirmed him and lifted up his kingdom. Second, he grasps the purpose: his exaltation was "because of his people Israel," not for his own glory but for the good of God's people. A godly leader knows that whatever height he is given is a stewardship for the sake of others. The list of sons born in Jerusalem, including Nathan (through whom Mary's line to Jesus runs) and Solomon (through whom the royal line runs), shows the house of David flourishing. God was building David's house even as David longed to build God's.
Explanation
As David's reign became secure, Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent cedar wood and skilled workmen to build David a palace, a mark of David's rising prestige. David understood clearly that it was the LORD who had established him as king and exalted his kingdom, and that this had been done for the benefit of God's people Israel, not merely for David's own sake. The chapter then lists the children born to David in Jerusalem, including Nathan and Solomon, showing the growth and stability of his royal house. David's success is presented throughout as the work of God, gratefully recognized by David himself.
Gospel Focus
David's humility in the midst of success is a model for us all. When honor and blessing came, he did not say, "My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth" (Deuteronomy 8:17), but "perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king." Every good gift comes down "from the Father" (James 1:17), and the wise heart traces its blessings back to God. Even more, David saw that his exaltation was "because of his people Israel," a stewardship for others. So the greatness given to us, our positions, gifts, and resources, is never merely for ourselves but for the blessing of God's people and the advance of His purposes. This points to the true King, Jesus, whom God "hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9), not for His own sake alone but for His people, that He might save them and reign for their good. And note that God was building David a house while David would soon desire to build God a house, a foreshadowing of God's promise in chapter 17 to build David an everlasting house, the house of the Messiah. The God who establishes His anointed does so for the salvation of His people; receive your blessings with David's humility, and hold them as a trust for others.
Two Victories Over the Philistines (1 Chronicles 14:8-17)
David enquires of God before each battle and obeys exactly, and God gives complete victory.
God Is Gone Forth Before Thee
"And when the Philistines heard 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. And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David enquired 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. So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim. And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley. Therefore David enquired 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. And it shall be, when thou shalt 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. David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer. And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations."
Word Study
"enquired of God," Hebrew wayyish'al... be'lohim (וַיִּשְׁאַל בֵּאלֹהִים), and he asked of God. The verb sha'al, to ask, to inquire, is the pivotal word of the chapter, and it stands in deliberate contrast to Saul, who "enquired not of the LORD" (chapter 10:14), and even to David's own earlier presumption with the ark. Twice the Philistines come, and twice "David enquired of God" before acting. The first time God says, "Go up," and David wins at Baal-perazim, testifying, "God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters." The name Baal-perazim means "the master of breakings," echoing the parats (breach) of Perez-uzza in chapter 13, but now the breaking-forth is against David's enemies, not against Israel. And David burns the abandoned Philistine idols, obeying the law's command to destroy them (Deuteronomy 7:5, 25), the very opposite of the Philistines who had displayed Saul's head before their gods. The second time, remarkably, God gives a different battle plan: not a frontal assault but a flanking move by the mulberry trees, waiting for "a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees," the sign that "God is gone forth before thee." David does not assume the second battle will be like the first; he asks again, and obeys the new word exactly. The result is total victory "from Gibeon even to Gazer," and the fear of David upon all nations. Seeking and obeying God, step by step, is the secret of David's triumph.
Explanation
When the Philistines learned David was king over all Israel, they came out in force to attack him. Rather than rushing into battle, David asked God whether he should go up and whether God would give him victory. God said yes, and David defeated them at Baal-perazim, praising God for bursting through his enemies like a flood, and he burned the idols the Philistines abandoned. When the Philistines attacked a second time, David did not presume the same strategy would work; he inquired of God again. This time God gave different instructions: circle around and attack by the mulberry trees when he heard a sound in the treetops, the sign that God had gone out ahead of him. David obeyed exactly and won a sweeping victory, and his fame and the fear of him spread to all nations. The chapter highlights David's habit of seeking and obeying God before every move.
Gospel Focus
The contrast with the previous chapters is the whole point. Saul "enquired not of the LORD" and died; David, with the ark, acted on good intentions without following God's word and disaster struck; but here David "enquired of God" before he acted, and again "enquired again of God" rather than presuming, and God gave complete victory. This is the pattern of a life that walks with God: "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:6). Notice especially that David asked a second time even after a clear first victory; yesterday's guidance is not a substitute for today's dependence. God's answer the second time was different, teaching us not to lock God into our formulas but to seek Him freshly. And the deepest comfort is the promise, "God is gone forth before thee." Our victories are won because God goes ahead of us: "the LORD he it is that doth go before thee" (Deuteronomy 31:8), and Jesus, our Captain, has already gone before and conquered, so that we "are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37). Learn from David: seek the LORD before you act, obey His word exactly, do not presume on past guidance, and go into every battle knowing that God has gone forth before you in Christ.
Chapter in Review
First Chronicles 14 shows the blessings of a kingdom God has confirmed. Hiram of Tyre builds David a house, David's family grows, and David humbly perceives that the LORD has established him and exalted his kingdom "because of his people Israel," a stewardship for others, not self-glory. Then, when the Philistines attack twice, David does what Saul never did and what he himself had earlier neglected: he "enquired of God" before each battle, and even asked again the second time rather than presuming, obeying God's fresh and different command exactly. God gave sweeping victory, "for God is gone forth before thee," and the fame and fear of David spread to all nations. The chapter, set pointedly after the failure with the ark, teaches humility in success and dependence in conflict, and it points us to the exalted King, Jesus, who goes before His people and makes them more than conquerors.
Key Takeaways
- Credit God for your blessings. David "perceived that the LORD had confirmed him"; every good gift comes from the Father.
- Exaltation is a stewardship for others. David's kingdom was lifted up "because of his people," not for his own glory.
- Enquire of God before you act. Unlike Saul, David asked God first; in all your ways acknowledge Him.
- Do not presume on past guidance. David asked again and received a different command; seek God freshly each time.
- God goes before you. Victory came because "God is gone forth before thee"; in Christ we are more than conquerors.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you trace your successes back to God, or credit your own hand?
- Do you hold your position, gifts, and resources as a trust for the good of others?
- Do you enquire of God before you act, or rush ahead as Saul did?
- Are you presuming on yesterday's guidance instead of seeking God freshly today?
- Do you go into your battles knowing that God has gone forth before you in Christ?
References
- Scripture: 1 Chronicles 14:1-17, King James Version.
- Cross-references: Deuteronomy 7:5, 25; 8:17; 31:8; Proverbs 3:6; Romans 8:37; Philippians 2:9; James 1:17.
- Hebrew word meanings: standard lexical sources (Strong's, BDB) for kun, sha'al, and parats (Baal-perazim); background on Hiram of Tyre, the valley of Rephaim, and the two Philistine battles.