1 Chronicles 14 Explained - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Chronicles 14 Short Summary:

In 1 Chronicles 14, Hiram, king of Tyre, builds a house for David in Jerusalem. David marries many new wives and they bear him more children. The second half of the chapter documents some of David’s battles with the Philistines, and how God gave Israel victory against them in two battles at the Valley of Rephaim.

What is 1 Chronicles 14 About?

WHEN:

• The Book of 1 Chronicles was written several hundred years after King David’s reign.  

• David became king of Judah in approximately 1055 B.C, the year Saul died. David’s reign spanned approximately 40 years (1055-1015 B.C.). He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all Israel. His reign over all Judah and Israel lasted 33 years.

CHARACTERS:

• David – The 2nd king of Israel.

• Uzzah – A man who was killed by God for touching the Ark of the Covenant.

• Obed-edom – The Ark of the Covenant was kept in Obed-edom’s house for 3 months before it was taken to Jerusalem.

WHERE:

• David’s house was in his capital city, Jerusalem.

• The Valley of Rephaim was approximately 8 km (5 miles) west of Jerusalem.

OUTLINE:

• DAVID’S HOUSE AND FAMILY (14:1-7):

  • Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent cedar trees, carpenters, and masons to build David a house in Jerusalem.

  • David took several more wives and fathered more children while living in Jerusalem. A list of his children is included in verses 4-7.

• DAVID DEFEATS THE PHILISTINES AT THE VALLEY OF REPHAIM (14:8-17):

  • When the Philistines found out Israel had made David their king, they went looking for him, but David took refuge in a stronghold (2 Sam 5:17).

  • The Philistine army was gathered in the Valley of Rephaim, which wasn’t far from Jerusalem.

  • David asked the Lord if he should attack the Philistines, to which the Lord responded affirmatively.

  • David’s men defeated them and captured their idols. David ordered the idols to be burned.

  • Later, the Philistines returned to the Valley of Rephaim to make a raid.

  • Again, David asked the Lord if he should attack.

  • God told him not to attack directly, but to approach the Philistines from the rear. They were to attack when they heard “the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees.”

  • David did as the Lord instructed, and God gave him another victory.  

  • After these battles, “the fame of David went out into all the lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.”

APPLICATION:

• Just because you are capable of doing something doesn’t necessarily mean God wants you to do it. You should always seek God’s guidance before undertaking anything.

• David’s military was getting stronger and stronger by the day, the Philistines were becoming less and less of a threat as Israel’s power increased, but David still didn’t go out to battle without asking God first.

• You may have the physical strength, mental capacity, or financial means to undertake a work or to steer your life in a certain direction, but having ability doesn’t equate to good decision making.

• We tend to lean into God’s guidance when we feel we lack the means to succeed at a task. We need to remember to lean on God’s guidance just as much when we grow strong. To fail to do so will result in us stumbling into the pit of pride.