UNROLL
First light on the narrow ridge of the City of David: among small flat-roofed houses inside a plain stone wall stands a new, modest two-story house of dressed stone with fresh reddish cedar beams, cedar logs stacked beside it, under a calm, pale dawn sky.

The Book of

1 Chronicles 14

While the ark rests in Obed-edom’s house, the LORD establishes David’s. And twice, before he fights, David asks God first.

17 verses≈ 3 min2 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–9GenealogiesAll Israel, from Adam
  2. 10Saul fallsThe kingdom turned to David
  3. 11–12David kingAll Israel gathers
  4. 13–16The arkBrought home with songsChapter 14
  5. 17The covenantA house forever
  6. 18–20David's warsThe LORD gave victory
  7. 21The siteOrnan's threshing floor
  8. 22–27Preparing the templePriests, Levites and singers
  9. 28–29David's farewellBe strong, and do the work

David’s Family Grows

Midday at the foot of Jerusalem's ridge: oxen drag long reddish cedar logs up a dusty track while Phoenician craftsmen square a log with bronze adzes and a mason dresses a block, a Phoenician envoy in a fringed robe watching with an Israelite official.

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters, to build a palace for him.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

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.

1 Chronicles 14:2

Late afternoon in the stone-paved courtyard of David's new house: children in small dyed wool tunics play on the flagstones, two women in head coverings work at an upright loom, and David stands in a cedar doorway with a small child on his arm, smiling.

And David took more wives in Jerusalem and became the father of more sons and daughters.

David’s sons

Born in Jerusalem

  1. Christ’s line

    Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon

    These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

  2. Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet

    Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,

  3. Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia

    Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

  4. Elishama, Beeliada, Eliphelet

    Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

Question

Quick question

Thirteen sons are named here. Most are only names, but two of them carry the family line all the way to Jesus.

Which two of David’s sons born in Jerusalem lead to Jesus in Matthew’s and Luke’s family lines?

Two Victories over the Philistines

From a rocky hilltop at evening, a broad valley of ripening grain southwest of Jerusalem filled with a Philistine camp spread among the fields, cooking smoke rising; in the foreground the backs of two of David's men crouched among the rocks, watching.

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.

Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim.

David

So David inquired of God, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”

God

“Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will deliver them into your hand.”

Like a bursting flood, God has burst out against my enemies by my hand.

1 Chronicles 14:11

Reflect

Ask again

“Once again the Philistines raided the valley.” David did not assume the old plan would work; he asked God again, and the answer was different. Where are you running on yesterday’s answer? Write down one thing you will bring to God fresh this week.

Early morning on a bare rocky hilltop: David kneels alone with his hands open on his knees and his face lifted, his sword laid on the rock beside him, while far below in the valley a Philistine camp spreads again among the fields.

Once again the Philistines raided the valley. 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.

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 gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

So David did as God had commanded him, and they struck down the army of the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

Morning from the last hills west of Gibeon: a long valley road winds down through terraced slopes to the green coastal plain and the low mound of Gezer far off, a small caravan of traders with laden donkeys heading west, under a calm, clear sky.

And David’s fame went out into every land, and the LORD caused all nations to fear him.

0:05

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Pray

God has gone out before you

Thank the Lord that He goes out before His people, as He did for David: “God has gone out before you.” Ask Him for the humility to ask Him first, every time, and to do as He commands. And pray that the fame of the Son of David would go out into every land.

You’ve experienced

1 Chronicles 14

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A verse to carry with you

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.

1 Chronicles 14:2

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