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.

Then Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers to David along with cedar timber, stonemasons, and carpenters to build him a palace.

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.

In this way David realized that the Lord had placed him on the throne as king of Israel and had blessed by supporting his kingdom for the sake of the Lord's people Israel.

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

David married more wives in Jerusalem, and had more sons and daughters.

4 Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,

This is a list of the names of the children he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

5 And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,

Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,

6 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

7 And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.

Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

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.

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all of Israel, they gathered their whole army to go after him. But David heard they were coming and went out to confront them.

9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

The Philistines arrived and raided the valley of Rephaim.

10 And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will you deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said to him, Go up; for I will deliver them into your hand.

David consulted God, asking “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you make me victorious over them?” “Go ahead,” the Lord told him, “I will make you victorious over them.”

11 So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God has broken in on my enemies by my hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.

So David attacked and defeated them there at Baal-perazim. “God used me to defeat my enemies like a torrent of water that bursts out,” he declared. That's why the place was named Baal-perazim.

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

The Philistines had left their gods behind, so David gave orders that they should be burned.

13 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.

However, the Philistines returned and made another raid on the valley.

14 Therefore David inquired again of God; and God said to him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees.

David consulted God again. “Don't make a frontal attack,” God told him. “Instead go around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.

15 And it shall be, when you shall hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall go out to battle: for God is gone forth before you to smite the host of the Philistines.

As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, go and attack for the Lord has gone before you to strike down the Philistine army.”

16 David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.

So David did what God told him, striking down the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

17 And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him on all nations.

As a result David's reputation was spread everywhere, and the Lord made all the nations afraid of David.