1 Chronicles 14

EasyEnglish Bible

David becomes famous

14 Then Hiram, king of Tyre, sent some of his men to David. They brought wood from Lebanon's cedar trees. Men who could work with stone and with wood also came. They built a palace for David. ² David realized that the Lord had made him strong as king over Israel. He knew that God had made his kingdom great, to help his people, the Israelites.

³ When David lived in Jerusalem, he married more wives. He became the father of more sons and daughters. ⁴ These are the names of David's children who were born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, ⁵ Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, ⁶ Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, ⁷ Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.

David fights the Philistines

⁸ The Philistines heard the news that David had now become king over all Israel. So their whole army went to look for him to catch him. When David heard about this, he went out to attack them. ⁹ The Philistine soldiers arrived at Rephaim valley. They attacked the people there. ¹⁰ David asked God, ‘Should I go and attack the Philistines? Will you put them under my power?’

The Lord answered him, ‘Yes, go and attack the Philistines. I will help you to win against them.’

¹¹ So David and his men went to Baal Perazim. There they won the fight against the Philistines in that place. David said, ‘God has helped me to sweep away my enemy like a flood of water.’ So they called that place Baal Perazim. ¹² The Philistines did not take their idols with them when they ran away. David told his men to destroy the idols in a fire.

¹³ Once again, the Philistines attacked the people who lived in the valley. ¹⁴ So David again asked God what he should do. This time God told him, ‘Do not march straight towards them. Instead, go round behind them. Then attack them from the other side, where the poplar trees are. ¹⁵ When you hear a noise in the tops of the trees like marching men, go out to attack them. Then you will know that God has gone in front of you. He will knock down the Philistine army for you.’ ¹⁶ So David did as God had commanded him to do. His men chased the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

¹⁷ So David became famous in every country. The Lord caused the people of every nation to be afraid of David.