The big picture
1 Chronicles 14 opens in verse 1 with “Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 9 with “And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.”, and closes in verse 17 with “And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon…” Repeated or prominent terms include David, Philistines, hand, Israel, king. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Chronicles · King James Version · 171 Chronicles 14:1-6
1–6: Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with…
1 Chronicles 14:1–6 opens with “Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and…” and reaches “And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on David asking the Lord before battle and hearing the appointed sign in the mulberry trees, with particular weight carried by David, Israel, Jerusalem.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an…” Naming David and Hiram keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Chronicles 14:1-6
King James Version1Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.
2And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.
3And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.
4Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
5And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
6And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
1 Chronicles 14:7-12
7–12: Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.
1 Chronicles 14:7–12 opens with “And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.” and reaches “And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on David asking the Lord before battle and hearing the appointed sign in the mulberry trees, with particular weight carried by David, Philistines, hand.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.” Naming Beeliada and Eliphalet keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek…” Naming David and Philistines keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Chronicles 14:7-12
King James Version7And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.
8And 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.
9And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
10And 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.
11So they came up to Baal-perazim; 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 Baal-perazim.
12And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
1 Chronicles 14:13-17
13–17: The Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.
1 Chronicles 14:13–17 opens with “And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.” and reaches “And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on David asking the Lord before battle and hearing the appointed sign in the mulberry trees, with particular weight carried by David, Philistines, host.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.” Naming Philistines keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Chronicles 14:13-17
King James Version13And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.
14Therefore 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.
15And 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.
16David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.
17And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Chronicles 14:1 begins with “Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.”
Where the chapter turns
1 Chronicles 14:10 forms a natural hinge: “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…”
The final note
1 Chronicles 14:17 leaves the reader with “And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words David, Philistines, hand, Israel, king, LORD help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What contrasts the two royal encounters?
Melchizedek blesses God as the source of victory; Abram refuses a financial arrangement that would let Sodom claim credit for his wealth.
How does Abram treat Lot after their separation?
He risks resources to rescue him rather than treating earlier disagreement as a reason for abandonment.
KJV words made clear
- begat
- became the father of
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.