1 Chronicles 14:1-17 Click here for Bible Verses
Today’s passage is 1 Chronicles 14:1-17. Let’s go!
1 Chronicles 14:1 (NIV)
1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him.
On verse 1: As the newly crowned king of Israel, David enlists a non-believer King Hiram of Tyre to provide workers and supplies to build a palace for him. I like what Pastor Jon Courson says on this point when he writes:
Hiram was not a believer and yet he provided materials and skilled workmen to build a house for David. In this, I am reminded of the time Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water in order to give her the opportunity to give something to Him (John 4). Sometimes I feel that we in the Christian community have so barricaded ourselves in some ways that we have not allowed the Hirams or Samaritan women of the world to interact with us and, in the process, be exposed to the things of God. I think there are times when the Lord would have us involved with people who don’t know Him in order to open the way for the gospel. (from Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Old Testament Volume 1)
1 Chronicles 14:2 (NIV)
2 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.
On verse 2: David came to an important realization: the reason why God exalted him as the king of Israel was not for his own sake, but “for the sake of his people Israel”. Likewise, whenever God gives you power or influence, remember that it is not for your sake that He gives you that power or influence. Rather, it is because God has other people in mind to bless through you. You are blessed to be a blessing. You are empowered so that you can empower others.
1 Chronicles 14:3-7 (NIV)
3 In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters.
4 These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
7 Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.
On verses 3-7: Here David disobeys the word of God which commands that a king “must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray” (Deuteronomy 17:17).
1 Chronicles 14:8-17 (NIV)
8 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.
9 Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim;
10 so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD answered him, “Go, I will hand them over to you.”
11 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.
12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn them in the fire.
13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley;
14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
15 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”
16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
17 So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him.
On verses 8-17: In his prime, David’s greatest attribute was his close relationship with the Lord and how whenever it was time to make crucial decisions, David would inquire of the Lord. Here David consults the Lord twice on two different occasions when the Philistines raided the valley of Rephaim. Then David would act on the word that he heard from the Lord. Notice also that when the Philistines raided the same valley a second time (v13), David didn’t assume that he should just do what we did last time. Rather, David still went back to the Lord and asked for His guidance again.
What can we learn from this? Don’t assume that you know what to do even when the situation you’re facing appears similar to what you’ve dealt with before. When making important decisions, look to God for guidance first. Ask Him to check your blind spots. Even more than asking wise and experienced people for advice, go to God and ask Him what you should do. For the man or woman of God, inquiring of God first is always the way to go.
Holy Spirit, I pray that my habit would be to consult You first whenever I need to make important decisions. Thank You for always being my greatest counselour who guides me with Your Word so that I can make the best decisions. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
