1 Chronicles 14
BSB1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters, to build a palace for him. 2 And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had highly exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. 3 And David took more wives in Jerusalem and became the father of more sons and daughters. 4 These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet. 8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went out to face them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim. 10 So David inquired of God, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will deliver them into your hand." 11 So David and his men went up to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, God has burst out against my enemies by my hand.” So they called that place Baal-perazim. 12 There the Philistines abandoned their gods, and David ordered that they be burned in the fire. 13 Once again the Philistines raided the valley. 14 So David again inquired of God, who answered him, “Do not march up after them, 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 this will mean that God has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines." 16 So David did as God had commanded him, and they struck down the army of the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 And David’s fame went out into every land, and the LORD caused all nations to fear him.
Study Notes — 1 Chronicles 14
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from 1 Chronicles 14
- Themes from 1 Chronicles 14
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on 1 Chronicles 14
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
1 Chronicles 14 begins with the arrival of the ark of God in Jerusalem, symbolizing God's presence with His people. David's military victories over the Philistines, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 14:8-17, demonstrate God's hand of protection and blessing over Israel. The chapter also mentions David's family and the birth of his sons, emphasizing the king's personal life and legacy. The overall tone of the chapter is one of triumph, peace, and the blessing of God on David's reign, as seen in 1 Chronicles 14:2 and 1 Chronicles 14:17.
Context for the Chapter
This chapter is part of the larger narrative of 1 Chronicles, which describes the history of Israel from the death of Saul to the reign of David. It follows the anointing of David as king over all Israel and precedes the detailed account of David's reign, including his sins and the challenges he faced. The chapter is crucial in understanding God's promise to David and the beginning of the Davidic dynasty, which points to the coming of Jesus Christ.
Heart Application
As we read about David's victories and God's blessing on his reign, we are reminded of God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His people. This chapter encourages us to trust in God's presence and blessing in our lives, just as David did, and to seek to honor Him in all we do.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter tells us about King David's early days as king of Israel. It describes how God was with him and helped him win battles against the Philistines, as seen in 1 Chronicles 14:8-17. David's story points forward to Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate King and Savior. We can learn from David's trust in God and seek to honor Him in our lives.
Voices from the Church
“The Lord is with us, and that is enough; for if He is with us, all things must work together for our good.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The kingdom of David was a shadow of the kingdom of Christ, in which God would reign over all nations.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction to David's Reign (1 Chronicles 14:1-2) — The chapter begins with the arrival of the ark of God in Jerusalem, symbolizing God's presence with His people.
- David's Military Victories (1 Chronicles 14:8-17) — The Philistines are defeated, demonstrating God's hand of protection and blessing over Israel.
- Establishment of David's Kingdom (1 Chronicles 14:3-7) — The chapter describes David's family and the birth of his sons, emphasizing the establishment of his legacy.
- God's Blessing on David's Reign (1 Chronicles 14:17) — The fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.
- Conclusion (1 Chronicles 14:1-17) — The chapter concludes with a summary of David's victories and God's blessing on his reign, highlighting the fulfillment of God's promise to David.
Core Doctrines
- Sovereignty of God
- This chapter teaches that God is sovereign over all nations and that His blessing is essential for any success, as seen in 1 Chronicles 14:17.
- Faithfulness of God
- The chapter demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises, as He establishes David as king over all Israel, fulfilling His promise to David.
- Importance of Trust in God
- David's trust in God is a key theme in the chapter, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's presence and blessing in our lives, as seen in 1 Chronicles 14:1-2.
- Typology of Christ
- The chapter points to Christ as it describes David's kingdom and God's promise to him, foreshadowing the greater victories and blessings that Christ would bring.
Lessons from 1 Chronicles 14
- Trust in God's Presence — We learn to trust in God's presence and blessing in our lives, just as David did.
- Importance of Faithfulness — The chapter teaches us about the importance of faithfulness to God and His promises, as seen in 1 Chronicles 14:17.
- Sovereignty of God — We see God's sovereignty over all nations and the importance of acknowledging His lordship in our lives.
- Establishing a Godly Legacy — The chapter emphasizes the importance of establishing a godly legacy, as seen in David's family and the birth of his sons.
- Typology of Christ — The chapter points to Christ as it describes David's kingdom and God's promise to him, foreshadowing the greater victories and blessings that Christ would bring.
Themes from 1 Chronicles 14
- God's Presence and Blessing — The chapter emphasizes God's presence and blessing on David's reign, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's presence in our lives.
- Establishment of David's Kingdom — The chapter describes the early days of David's kingdom, including the arrival of the ark of God in Jerusalem and the birth of his sons.
- Military Victories and God's Protection — The Philistines are defeated, demonstrating God's hand of protection and blessing over Israel, as seen in 1 Chronicles 14:8-17.
- Faithfulness and Trust — The chapter teaches us about the importance of faithfulness to God and His promises, as seen in 1 Chronicles 14:17.
- Typology of Christ — The chapter points to Christ as it describes David's kingdom and God's promise to him, foreshadowing the greater victories and blessings that Christ would bring.
Questions for Meditation
- What does this chapter teach us about God's presence and blessing in our lives?
- How does David's trust in God encourage us to trust in Him?
- What does the chapter reveal about the nature of God's sovereignty and faithfulness?
- How does the chapter point to the coming of Jesus Christ?
- What practical lessons can we apply from David's experiences in this chapter?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction to David's Reign (1 Chronicles 14:1-2)
| 14:1 | The chapter begins with the arrival of the ark of God in Jerusalem, symbolizing God's presence with His people. |
| 14:2 | David's reputation as a king is established, and God's presence with him is highlighted. |
2. Establishment of David's Kingdom (1 Chronicles 14:3-7)
| 14:3 | David's family is established, and the birth of his sons is recorded. |
| 14:4 | The names of David's sons are listed, emphasizing the establishment of his legacy. |
| 14:5 | The chapter continues to describe David's family and the birth of his sons. |
| 14:6-7 | The Philistines are introduced as enemies of God's people, setting the stage for the upcoming battles. |
3. Military Victories and God's Protection (1 Chronicles 14:8-17)
| 14:8 | The Philistines are defeated, demonstrating God's hand of protection and blessing over Israel. |
| 14:9 | The Philistines are defeated again, highlighting God's continued protection and blessing over Israel. |
| 14:10-17 | The chapter concludes with a summary of David's victories and God's blessing on his reign, highlighting the fulfillment of God's promise to David. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the ark of God in Jerusalem?
The ark of God symbolizes God's presence with His people, and its arrival in Jerusalem marks the beginning of David's reign and God's blessing on his kingdom, as seen in 1 Chronicles 14:1-2.
Why are the Philistines important in this chapter?
The Philistines represent the enemies of God's people, and their defeat symbolizes God's protection and blessing over Israel, as seen in 1 Chronicles 14:8-17.
What does this chapter teach us about God's sovereignty?
The chapter demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations and that His blessing is essential for any success, as seen in 1 Chronicles 14:17.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 14:1 → 2 Samuel 6:1-11 | The arrival of the ark of God in Jerusalem is also recorded in 2 Samuel 6:1-11, highlighting the importance of this event in David's reign. |
| 2 | 1 Chronicles 14:8-17 → Psalm 60:1-12 | The military victories over the Philistines are also recorded in Psalm 60:1-12, demonstrating God's hand of protection and blessing over Israel. |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 14:17 → Psalm 2:7-8 | The fame of David going out into all lands is also referenced in Psalm 2:7-8, highlighting the fulfillment of God's promise to David. |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 14:1-2 → John 1:14 | The concept of God's presence with His people is also seen in John 1:14, where Jesus Christ is described as the Word made flesh, dwelling among us. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 14:8-17 → Ephesians 6:10-20 | The military victories over the Philistines can be seen as a type of spiritual warfare, as described in Ephesians 6:10-20, where believers are encouraged to put on the armor of God to fight against spiritual enemies. |
| 6 | 1 Chronicles 14:1-2 → Matthew 1:22-23 | The concept of God's presence with His people is also seen in Matthew 1:22-23, where Jesus Christ is described as Immanuel, God with us. |
| 7 | 1 Chronicles 14:17 → Revelation 19:11-16 | The fame of David going out into all lands is also referenced in Revelation 19:11-16, where Jesus Christ is described as the King of kings and Lord of lords. |
| 8 | 1 Chronicles 14:8-17 → Hebrews 2:14-18 | The military victories over the Philistines can be seen as a type of Christ's victory over sin and death, as described in Hebrews 2:14-18, where Jesus Christ is described as the one who has destroyed the power of death. |
| 9 | 1 Chronicles 14:1-2 → Colossians 1:15-20 | The concept of God's presence with His people is also seen in Colossians 1:15-20, where Jesus Christ is described as the image of the invisible God. |
| 10 | 1 Chronicles 14:17 → Isaiah 9:6-7 | The fame of David going out into all lands is also referenced in Isaiah 9:6-7, where Jesus Christ is described as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. |
Sermons on 1 Chronicles 14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
David - Failure and Effectiveness by Devern Fromke | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a group of people who were enthusiastic about evangelizing and helping forgotten people in their country. They set up their own bak |
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(2 Samuel) King David in Triumph by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing when the Lord is at work and being ready to advance quickly in our spiritual battles. Using the example of Davi |
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Our Daily Homily - 1 Chronicles by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer reflects on the genealogies in 1 Chronicles, emphasizing the significance of each name as a testament to God's love and purpose for humanity. He warns that while our liv |
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Then Thou Shalt Go Out to Battle; for God Is by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes that the battles we face are not ours alone, but God's, as He goes before us to fight our enemies. He illustrates this through biblical examples of divine int |
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Inadequate Consensus by Dick Brogden | Dick Brogden emphasizes the crucial importance of consulting the Lord in all decisions, regardless of human effort, involvement, advice, or consensus. Using the example of David's |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on 1 Chronicles 14
Matthew Henry's commentary on 1 Chronicles 14 emphasizes the significance of the ark of God in Jerusalem, symbolizing God's presence with His people. The commentary also highlights the importance of David's trust in God, as seen in his victories over the Philistines, and the establishment of his kingdom. The commentary concludes by noting the fulfillment of God's promise to David and the beginning of his successful reign, pointing to the greater fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate King and Savior. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
God's Presence
Throughout the chapter, there is a noticeable emphasis on God's presence with David and His blessing on David's reign, as seen in 1 Chronicles 14:1-2 and 1 Chronicles 14:17.
Military Victories
The military victories over the Philistines, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 14:8-17, demonstrate God's hand of protection and blessing over Israel, highlighting David's strength as a military leader.
Establishment of David's Kingdom
The chapter describes the early days of David's kingdom, including the arrival of the ark of God in Jerusalem and the birth of his sons, emphasizing the establishment of his legacy.




