King James Version
1 Chronicles 14
17 verses with commentary
David's Palace and Family
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Hiram.**—So the Hebrew text of Chronicles spells the name, and the LXX. and all the other ancient versions both of Samuel and Chronicles have it so. But the Hebrew margin of Chronicles writes “Huram.”
**Messengers.**—Ambassadors.
**Timber of cedars.**—Felled from the Lebanon, and sea-borne to Joppa (2 Chronicles 16).
**With masons and carpenters.**—Literally, and craftsmen of walls, and craf...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
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.
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KJV Study Commentary
David's recognition that 'the LORD had confirmed him king' demonstrates the covenant certainty underlying his reign. The Hebrew verb kun (confirmed/established) appears throughout Chronicles describing God's establishing work - kingdoms, throne, covenant, temple. This isn't democratic election but divine appointment. The purpose clause 'for his people Israel's sake' reveals that even monarchy in I...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **And David perceived . . .**—And *David knew that Jehovah had appointed him.* The willing alliance of the powerful sovereign of Phoenician Tyre was so understood by David. The favour of man is sometimes a sign of the approval of God—always, when it results from well-doing (Genesis 39:21; Luke 2:52).
**For his kingdom was lifted up on high.**—Samuel, “and (he knew) that he had lifted up his ki...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters. more: Heb. yet
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **And David took more wives.**—The verse is considerably abbreviated as compared with Samuel, which reads, “concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron.” The concubines are not omitted because of offence, for they are mentioned in 1Chronicles 3:9.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **His children.**—Literally, *the born.* Samuel has a different word from the same root, and omits the relative pronoun and its verb. (For the names, comp. 1Chronicles 3:5-9, Notes, and 2Samuel 5:14-16.) The list is repeated here because it occurred at this point in the document which the historian was copying, and perhaps also as an instance of David’s prosperity, which is the topic of the se...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet. Beeliada: also called, Eliada 2.Sam.5.16.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
David Defeats the Philistines
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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**II.—DAVID’S TWO VICTORIES OVER THE PHILIS TINES**
(1Chronicles 14:8-16; 2Samuel 5:17-25).
Although placed here after the account of the palace building, this invasion must have occurred earlier in the reign of David, and probably soon after the storming of Jerusalem, a proof of capacity, which would rouse the Philistines to combined action against the new sovereign of Israel. (Comp. 1 Samuel 13)...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **And the Philistines came.**—*Now the Philistines had come*. The narrative goes back to 1Chronicles 14:8 a. The invaders had approached by another road than usual, and encamped in the valley of Rephaim (1Chronicles 11:15).
**Spread themselves.**—The chronicler has given an easier term than that used in Samuel.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines?</strong>—The verb <em>sha'al</em> ('enquired') indicates seeking divine counsel, likely through the high priest's ephod with Urim and Thummim. Unlike Saul, who consulted mediums when God stopped answering (1 Sam 28), David consistently sought Yahweh's direction. <strong>Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand<...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **And David enquired of God.**—How? Through the high priest Abiathar, who sought Divine direction by means of the Urim and Thummim, or sacred lots, which he carried in a pouch on his breast, which was fastened to the ephod, or priestly mantle. (See Exodus 28:30; Exodus 39:21; Leviticus 8:8; Numbers 27:21; 1Samuel 14:18-19; 1Samuel 14:37; 1Samuel 14:41; 1Samuel 23:9; 1 Samuel 28; 1Samuel 30:7-...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
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. Baalperazim: that is, A place of breaches
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
David's naming the place 'Baal-perazim' (Lord of breakthroughs) memorializes God's intervention using water-breakthrough imagery. The statement 'God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters' attributes victory to God while acknowledging human instrumentality. This theological balance - divine sovereignty and human agency - characterizes Reformed thought. Davi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **So they came up to Baal-perazım.**—And they: that is, David and his troops. Samuel, “And David came into Baal-perazim.” The locality is unknown. The prophet Isaiah (1Chronicles 28:21) refers to these two victories of David: “For *Jehovah* shall rise up as in Mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **And when they had left their gods there.**—Samuel, “their images.” Our word is explanatory.
**David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.**—Samuel, “And David and his men carried them off” (Heb.). The two statements are not incompatible, and may both have existed in the same original text. The chronicler is careful to record David’s compliance with the law of Deuteronomy 7:25.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13-16) A second Philistine invasion and defeat (2Samuel 5:22-25).
(13) **In the valley**—“of Rephaim” (Samuel). Slightly abridged.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 5
1Ch 5:1-10. The Line of Reuben.
**1. Now the sons of Reuben--**In proceeding to give this genealogy, the sacred historian states, in a parenthesis (1Ch 5:1, 2), the reason why it was not placed first, as Reuben was the oldest son of Jacob. The birthright, which by a foul crime he had forfeited, implied not only dominion, but a double portion (De 21:17); and both of these were transfe...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
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.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Therefore David enquired.**—The first half of this verse is fuller and clearer than in Samuel. The second half must be adjusted by comparison with the older text, which reads, “Thou must not go up [LXX., “to meet them “]; go round to their rear, and come upon them in front of the *baca* trees.” Probably the terms rendered “after them” and “from them” should be slightly modified and transpos...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
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.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **A sound of going.**—Rather, *the sound of marching.* The sign may have been a natural one. David was to listen for the wind rustling in the tops of the *bacas—a* sound like that of walking on dead leaves—and then to make his attack. (But comp 2Kings 7:6.) But we are reminded, in connection with this fragment of David’s history, that all ancient people attached a prophetic import to the moti...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on David's kingdom established - royal success. The Hebrew term <em>מַמְלָכָה (mamlakah) - kingdom</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to God establishes and blesses obedient leaders. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing te...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **David therefore.**—*And David did.* Samuel adds “so.”
**And they smote the host** (camp).—Samuel, “and he smote the Philistines.” (Comp. 1Chronicles 14:11.)
**From Gibeon.**—The present Hebrew text of Samuel has Geba. The LXX. agrees with Chronicles in reading Gibeon, but the Targum, Syriac, and Arabic read Geba. Gibeon lay about six miles north-west of Jerusalem, between the valley of Reph...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.
And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the fame of David went out into all lands</strong>—The Hebrew <em>shēm</em> (שֵׁם, 'name' or 'reputation') emphasizes not merely celebrity but authoritative renown establishing David's sovereignty. More critically, <strong>the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations</strong>—<em>pachad</em> (פַּחַד) denotes reverential dread, the terror of God's judgment manifest through His anoi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **This verse is not in Samuel.** It looks like a concluding reflection of the chronicler’s, similar to 2Chronicles 17:10; 2Chronicles 20:29.
**The fame of David went out.**—*David’s name.* The same phrase recurs in 2Chronicles 26:15.
**All lands.**—*All the lands.* (Comp. Psalm 19:4.)
**And the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.**—Yet this fear was, as we should say, the natural e...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
David's victories.
--In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David's kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2Sa 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.