FOR THE LORD’S SAKE, NOT DAVID’S

Passage: 1 Chronicles 14:1-17

Key verse: 2

NIV

David’s House and Family(A)

14 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs,(B) stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. 2 And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted(C) for the sake of his people Israel.

3 In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons(D) and daughters. 4 These are the names of the children born to him there:(E) Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada[a] and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines(F)

8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel,(G) 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(H) of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.”

11 So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim,(I) 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.[b] 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn(J) them in the fire.(K)

13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley;(L) 14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 15 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar 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(M) to Gezer.(N)

17 So David’s fame(O) spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear(P) him.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Chronicles 14:7 A variant of Eliada
  2. 1 Chronicles 14:11 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

David's Wives and Children

14 (A)And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also masons and carpenters to build a house for him. 2 And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.

3 And David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters. 4 (B)These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: (C)Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, (D)Beeliada and (E)Eliphelet.

Philistines Defeated

8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went out against them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and (F)made a raid in the (G)Valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” 11 And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through[a] my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 12 And they left their gods there, and David gave command, and they were burned.

13 And the Philistines yet again (H)made a raid in the valley. 14 And when David again inquired of God, (I)God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 15 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 16 And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the (J)fear of him upon all nations.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Chronicles 14:11 Baal-perazim means Lord of breaking through
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. For the sake of his people (1-7)

David knew God had established him as king, not for his own sake, but for God's purpose. David had good relations with the king of Tyre for trade purposes. He also had many children.

2. David inquires of God (8-17)

David was an able warrior, but he didn’t depend on his ability or past success. He inquired of God regarding which battles to fight and how to fight them. When the Philistine army searched for David, he asked God, 'Will you deliver them into my hands?' When God answered 'Yes,' David fought and won. God broke out like water against David’s enemies. David burned the Philistine idols. For the next battle, God directed David differently. He followed God’s word and won the victory again. David’s fame spread all over, and God made all the nations fear him.

Prayer: Lord, help me to realize that your blessings aren’t merely for me but to serve your greater purpose. Help me to bring all my struggles to you in prayer.

One Word: For the Lord’s sake, not mine