1 Chronicles 14

David’s Wives and Children

14 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also masons and carpenters to build a house for him. And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.

And David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.

Philistines Defeated

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went out against them. Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. And they left their gods there, and David gave command, and they were burned.

And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

(ESV)

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1 Chronicles 14 Commentary

by Brad Boyles

Following on the same theme from 1 Chronicles 13, we now see David correcting his previous error. He engages in two battles against the Philistines. In both situations, he directly consults the Lord before going into the battle. In each situation, the Lord requires a different response. I find that to be mysterious and interesting. Why a different response to the same issue?

In the first battle, David is commanded to engage. He is told to go all in. After the victory, David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” The temptation now would be to become prideful. Although he states that the Lord won the battle, it would be easy to assume that David’s engagement with the army and skill as a commander was where the victory had been won. This was not the case.

In the second battle, David is commanded to wait. The Lord designs a surprise attack, but he tells David exactly how to proceed. This is critical because it would have made sense to use the same strategy that worked the first time. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! There was a huge difference though. God wanted to remind David that the Lord fights the battles.

“And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”

1 Chronicles 14:15 ESV

God has gone before you. These are beautiful and life-changing words. How unbelievably comforting is it to know that in your battle, even when you have to wait, the Lord has gone before you? When the enemy is so close that you can hear his footsteps, will you trust that He has gone before you? When the Lord asks you to wait instead of engaging, will your faith stand firm?

I wholeheartedly believe this promise rests on the inquiry David made to God.  He learned from his leadership failure and came back to God. This is a big deal! Just one chapter ago David was angry that the Lord had struck down Uzzah. It would have been easy to disengage or sink lower into sin, but he doesn’t. David wasn’t perfect (as noted in this chapter by all his wives), but he was humble and teachable. He didn’t let his failures define him. We shouldn’t either.