First Book of Chronicles 14

¹ Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David with cedar wood and stone masons and carpenters to build him a palace.

² David then knew that Yahweh had confirmed him as king over Israel, and that for the sake of his people Israel his reign was being made glorious.

³ At Jerusalem David took more wives and fathered more sons and daughters.

⁴ These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

⁵ Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,

⁶ Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

⁷ Elishama, Beeliada, Eliphelet.

⁸ When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of all Israel, they all marched up to seek him out. On hearing this, David went out to meet them.

⁹ When the Philistines arrived they deployed in the Valley of the Rephaim.

¹⁰ David consulted God; ‘Shall I attack the Philistines?’ he asked. ‘Will you deliver them into my power?’ Yahweh answered him, ‘Attack! I will deliver them into your power.’

¹¹ Accordingly they went up to Baal-perazim and there David defeated them. David said, ‘Through me God has made a breach in my enemies like a breach the waters make’. For this reason that place was called Baal-perazim.

¹² They had left their gods behind them there, and David ordered them to be burnt.

¹³ Again the Philistines deployed in the valley.

¹⁴ David again consulted God, and God answered, ‘Do not attack them from the front; go round and engage them opposite the balsam trees.

¹⁵ When you hear the sound of steps in the tops of the balsam trees, launch your attack, for that will be God going out ahead of you to rout the army of the Philistines.’

¹⁶ David did as God had ordered, and they routed the Philistine army from Gibeon as far as Gezer.

¹⁷ The fame of David spread into every region, and Yahweh made him feared by every nation.