14 Therefore David H1732 enquired H7592 again of God; H430 and God H430 said H559 unto him, Go not up H5927 after H310 them; turn away H5437 from them, and come H935 upon them over against H4136 the mulberry trees. H1057
And thou shalt do H6213 to Ai H5857 and her king H4428 as thou didst H6213 unto Jericho H3405 and her king: H4428 only the spoil H7998 thereof, and the cattle H929 thereof, shall ye take for a prey H962 unto yourselves: lay H7760 thee an ambush H693 for the city H5892 behind H310 it. So Joshua H3091 arose, H6965 and all the people H5971 of war, H4421 to go up H5927 against Ai: H5857 and Joshua H3091 chose out H977 thirty H7970 thousand H505 mighty H1368 men H376 of valour, H2428 and sent them away H7971 by night. H3915 And he commanded H6680 them, saying, H559 Behold, H7200 ye shall lie in wait H693 against the city, H5892 even behind H310 the city: H5892 go H7368 not very H3966 far H7368 from the city, H5892 but be ye all ready: H3559 And I, and all the people H5971 that are with me, will approach H7126 unto the city: H5892 and it shall come to pass, when they come out H3318 against H7125 us, as at the first, H7223 that we will flee H5127 before H6440 them, (For they will come out H3318 after H310 us) till we have drawn H5423 them from the city; H5892 for they will say, H559 They flee H5127 before H6440 us, as at the first: H7223 therefore we will flee H5127 before H6440 them. Then ye shall rise up H6965 from the ambush, H693 and seize H3423 upon the city: H5892 for the LORD H3068 your God H430 will deliver H5414 it into your hand. H3027
And David H1732 enquired H7592 of God, H430 saying, H559 Shall I go up H5927 against the Philistines? H6430 and wilt thou deliver H5414 them into mine hand? H3027 And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto him, Go up; H5927 for I will deliver H5414 them into thine hand. H3027
When he had thus G5023 spoken, G2036 he spat G4429 on the ground, G5476 and G2532 made G4160 clay G4081 of G1537 the spittle, G4427 and G2532 he anointed G2025 G1909 the eyes G3788 of the blind man G5185 with the clay, G4081 And G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 Go, G5217 wash G3538 in G1519 the pool G2861 of Siloam, G4611 (which G3739 is by interpretation, G2059 Sent.) G649 He went his way G565 therefore, G3767 and G2532 washed, G3538 and G2532 came G2064 seeing. G991
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 1 Chronicles 14
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 14 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 14
1Ch 14:1, 2. Hiram's Kindness to David; David's Felicity.
1. Now Hiram king of Tyre—[See on 2Sa 5:11]. The alliance with this neighboring king, and the important advantages derived from it, were among the most fortunate circumstances in David's reign. The providence of God appeared concurrent with His promise in smoothing the early course of his reign. Having conquered the Jebusites and made Zion the royal residence, he had now, along with internal prosperity, established an advantageous treaty with a neighboring prince; and hence, in immediate connection with the mention of this friendly league, it is said, "David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel."
2. his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel—This is an important truth, that sovereigns are invested with royal honor and authority, not for their own sakes so much as for that of their people. But while it is true of all kings, it was especially applicable to the monarchs of Israel, and even David was made to know that all his glory and greatness were given only to fit him, as the minister of God, to execute the divine purposes towards the chosen people.
1Ch 14:3-7. His Wives.
3. David took more wives at Jerusalem—(See on 2Sa 3:5). His concubines are mentioned (1Ch 3:9), where also is given a list of his children (1Ch 14:5-8), and those born in Jerusalem (2Sa 5:14-16). In that, however, the names of Eliphalet and Nogah do not occur, and Beeliada appears to be the same as Eliada.
1Ch 14:8-17. His Victories over the Philistines.
8. all the Philistines went up to seek David—in the hope of accomplishing his ruin (for so the phrase is used, 1Sa 23:15; 24:2, 3) before his throne was consolidated. Their hostility arose, both from a belief that his patriotism would lead him, ere long, to wipe out the national dishonor at Gilboa, and by fear, that in any invasion of their country, his thorough knowledge of their weak points would give him superior advantages. They resolved, therefore, to surprise and crush him before he was fairly seated on his throne.
11. they came up to Baal-perazim; and David smote them there—In an engagement fought at Mount Perazim (Isa 28:21), in the valley of Rephaim, a few miles west of Jerusalem, the Philistines were defeated and put to flight.
12. when they had left their gods—(See on 2Sa 5:21).
13. the Philistines yet again spread themselves—They renewed the campaign the next season, taking the same route. David, according to divine directions, did not confront them.
14. Go not up after them—The text in 2Sa 5:23, more correctly has, "Go not up."
turn away from them—that is, by stealing round a baca-grove, come upon their rear.
15. for God is gone forth before thee—"a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees," that is, the rustling of the leaves by a strong breeze suddenly rising, was the sign by which David was divinely apprised of the precise moment for the attack. The impetuosity of his onset was like the gush of a pent-up torrent, which sweeps away all in its course; and in allusion to this incident the place got its name.
16. from Gibeon … to Gazer—Geba or Gibea (2Sa 5:25), now Yefa, in the province of Judah. The line from this to Gazer was intersected by the roads which led from Judah to the cities of the Philistines. To recover possession of it, therefore, as was effected by this decisive battle, was equivalent to setting free the whole mountain region of Judah as far as their most westerly slope [Bertheau].