Bible Commentaries

1 Chronicles 14:1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.

Ver. 1. Now Hiram king of Tyre.] {See Trapp on "2 Samuel 5:11"} {See Trapp on "2 Samuel 5:12"}

1 Chronicles 14:2 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.

Ver. 2. Because of his people.] For their behoof and benefit.

1 Chronicles 14:3 And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.

Ver. 3. And David begat more sons.] Man’s badness breaketh not off the course of God’s goodness.

1 Chronicles 14:8 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.

Ver. 8. Went up to seek David.] But had soon enough of him; but God had a holy hand in all, to bring them to condign punishment for their late misusage of dead Saul and his sons; ascribing their successes to their gods, &c.

1 Chronicles 14:11 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.

Ver. 11. Like the breaking forth of waters.] That is, saith the Chaldee Paraphrast, As water runneth out of a broken earthen vessel.

1 Chronicles 14:12 And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.

Ver. 12. And when they had left their gods there.] Their terricula bogey gods. They were now in a great fright.

1 Chronicles 14:13 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.

Ver. 13. And the Philistine yet again.] Ne accepta quidem clade resipiscunt: they were obdurate and obstinate.

1 Chronicles 14:14 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.

Ver. 14. Against the mulberry trees.] Where the Philistines had placed their gods, say the Hebrews.

1 Chronicles 14:15 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.

Ver. 15. For God.] That is, The angel of God, saith the Chaldee.

1 Chronicles 14:17 And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

Ver. 17. And the Lord brought the fear of him.] He grew terrible to his enemies. So did Hunniades, Scanderbeg, Charles V, &c., ita et parentes liberis plorantibus silentium non aliter imperarent quam horum praesentiam minitando: so that mothers stilled their children by these men’s names.