1 Chronicles 14 10

1 Chronicles 14:10 kjv

And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.

1 Chronicles 14:10 nkjv

And David inquired of God, saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?" The LORD said to him, "Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand."

1 Chronicles 14:10 niv

so David inquired of God: "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?" The LORD answered him, "Go, I will deliver them into your hands."

1 Chronicles 14:10 esv

And David inquired of God, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up, and I will give them into your hand."

1 Chronicles 14:10 nlt

So David asked God, "Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD replied, "Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you."

1 Chronicles 14 verses

1 Chronicles 14 10 Meaning

David, in his role as king, did not presumptuously enter battle, but humbly and specifically sought God's direct counsel regarding whether to engage the Philistines and if God would grant him victory. The Lord responded immediately and definitively, not only permitting the action but also assuring David that He Himself would deliver the enemy into David's hands, thus guaranteeing success and reaffirming David's reliance on divine power.

1 Chronicles 14 10 Context

Chapter 14 opens with Hiram, King of Tyre, acknowledging David's kingship by sending resources and craftsmen to build David's palace, highlighting David's growing political stature and divine favor. Crucially, the Chronicler states that David "perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that his kingdom was exalted for His people Israel's sake." This sets the stage for David's military encounter: the Philistines, Israel's long-standing formidable enemies, ascend to battle after hearing of David's anointing as king over all Israel. Rather than relying on his own established power, David immediately and instinctively consults God, demonstrating the divine source of his authority and the ongoing dependence required for God's purposes to be fulfilled. This instance of seeking God's will before engaging the Philistines forms a significant part of the Chronicler's narrative, contrasting sharply with Saul's ultimate downfall due to his failure to inquire of the Lord (1 Chr 10:13-14) and establishing a model for future kings and the post-exilic community about seeking divine guidance. Culturally, inquiring of God was the legitimate Israelite way to gain divine direction, contrasting sharply with the pagan divinatory practices common in neighboring nations, which the Chronicler subtly rebukes by showcasing Yahweh's clear, personal communication.

1 Chronicles 14 10 Word analysis

• "And David": Indicates a continuity in the narrative flow, picking up on David's actions as king.
• "enquired": Hebrew: vayidrōsh (וַיִּדְרֹשׁ), from the root darash (דָּרַשׁ). This word signifies to "seek, inquire, consult, or search earnestly and diligently." It's a profound and intentional seeking for divine counsel, not a casual thought or question. Its use highlights David's spiritual diligence and humility, characterizing his kingship as one defined by seeking God's will above his own.
• "of God": Hebrew: bā’Elohîm (בֵּאלֹהִים). The term Elohim here refers specifically to the one true God, Yahweh, emphasizing that the source of David's wisdom and authority is the covenant God of Israel. This choice of address subtly asserts the supremacy of Israel's God over any pagan deities or human wisdom, directly opposing the divination practices of surrounding cultures.
• "saying, Shall I go up": Hebrew: ha'aleh (הַאֲעֲלֶה), derived from ‘ālâ (עָלָה), "to go up, ascend." This initial question seeks divine permission for the military engagement, indicating that David did not consider himself unilaterally authorized to initiate war, but required God's assent.
• "against the Philistines?": Identifies the specific formidable enemy that Israel had continually battled for centuries. David faces an established military power, underscoring the need for divine intervention beyond human strategy.
• "And wilt thou deliver them": Hebrew: wetittē-m (וְתִתְּנֵם), from nātan (נָתַן), "to give, deliver, place." This is the core of David's second question, demonstrating his awareness that ultimate victory rests not in his army's might but solely in God's sovereign act of handing over the enemy. It expresses full reliance on divine power for success.
• "into mine hand?": A common biblical idiom signifying complete conquest, victory, and control. It represents the enemy being utterly subdued and brought under David's authority through God's action.
• "And the LORD answered him": Hebrew: wayyōmer Adonai (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה). "The LORD" here uses the sacred covenant name, Yahweh, emphasizing God's personal, faithful, and responsive relationship with His chosen king. The immediate answer confirms God's active involvement in human affairs and His readiness to communicate with His faithful servants.
• "Go up;": God's direct command, echoing David's question for permission, granting it fully.
• "for I will deliver them": The divine reason for the command, and a firm, unconditional promise. "I will deliver" explicitly takes responsibility for the victory, assuring David that the outcome is secured by God's own power.
• "into thine hand.": God confirms He will grant the desired complete victory, using the same idiom David used in his request. This direct alignment of question and answer demonstrates God's perfect understanding and response to David's faith.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And David enquired of God": This phrase highlights David's proactive and earnest seeking of divine will as a foundational aspect of his leadership, marking a consistent theme in his reign. It signifies spiritual dependence rather than human self-reliance.
• "Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hand?": These two specific questions reveal the depth of David's dependence. He seeks both permission to act and assurance of success, acknowledging that human effort alone is insufficient without God's enablement and guaranteed victory. This reflects both humility and strategic wisdom rooted in faith.
• "And the LORD answered him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.": God's complete and direct affirmation of David's specific questions, echoing David's precise phrasing. This demonstrates God's responsiveness to a sincere inquiry, and crucially, grounds David's action in God's certain promise and power, establishing that the victory belongs to the Lord before the battle even begins.

1 Chronicles 14 10 Bonus section

• Theological Significance of Yahweh vs. Elohim: While David initially "enquired of God" (Elohim, a general term), the One who answers is consistently referred to as "the LORD" (Yahweh, the covenant name). This highlights that the abstract concept of God gives way to the personal, relational, and covenant-keeping God who actively engages with His people.
• Polemic against Idolatry and Self-Sufficiency: David's disciplined inquiry stands in stark contrast to the common practices of neighboring nations who consulted pagan gods or relied solely on military strength. It is also a subtle rebuke to human pride, emphasizing that true power and victory come solely from God, not from human armies, chariots, or strategic brilliance.
• Precedent for Israel's Kings: This verse, and David's subsequent inquiries (like in 1 Chr 14:14), established a crucial pattern for kings in Israel: true kingship was not about independent rule but about dependent submission to the King of Kings. Their success or failure would often be tied to whether they "enquired of the Lord" or not.
• Role of David as a Man After God's Own Heart: This action is a prime example of why David was called a "man after God's own heart." His first impulse in moments of crisis or opportunity was to seek God, indicating a heart tuned to divine will and submission.

1 Chronicles 14 10 Commentary

This verse provides a profound illustration of faithful leadership and the divine-human partnership. David, despite his established position and military prowess, instinctively turns to God for guidance and assurance before engaging in a crucial battle. His inquiry is not a mere formality but a sincere search for divine strategy and guarantee of victory, recognizing that ultimate success stems from God's hand, not his own might. God's immediate and direct answer "Go up; for I will deliver them" serves as both a divine command and an empowering promise, establishing the framework for all godly action: obedience to God's direction is always coupled with His provision and secured outcome. This passage teaches that genuine victories are cultivated not through self-assurance or human strategizing alone, but through humble reliance, consistent inquiry, and trusting adherence to God's sovereign word. It exemplifies the truth that God rewards those who diligently seek Him, securing His plans through their obedient faith. Practically, it encourages believers to pray specifically, wait for divine instruction, and proceed confidently when God grants permission, knowing that He has pledged to fulfill His promise.