1 Chronicles 14:13 kjv
And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.
1 Chronicles 14:13 nkjv
Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley.
1 Chronicles 14:13 niv
Once more the Philistines raided the valley;
1 Chronicles 14:13 esv
And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley.
1 Chronicles 14:13 nlt
But after a while the Philistines returned and raided the valley again.
1 Chronicles 14 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. | Rely on God for direction, not self. |
| Ps 32:8 | I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. | God's personal guidance for His people. |
| Jer 10:23 | I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. | Man's inability to direct own path. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. | Seeking God through prayer. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. | God grants wisdom when asked. |
| Josh 8:1-7 | Do not fear or be dismayed...lay an ambush...do not turn aside... | God provides specific battle strategies (Ai). |
| Jdg 7:9-18 | Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hands... | God provides specific battle strategies (Midianites). |
| 2 Sam 5:23-24 | (Parallel account of this battle) You shall not go up... circle around... | Confirms the divine strategy. |
| Ps 20:7 | Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD our God. | Victory is from God, not human might. |
| Ps 44:5-6 | Through You we push back our foes... For not by my sword did I acquire the land, nor did my arm save me, but Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your face... | God brings victory, not human strength. |
| Isa 30:1-2 | Woe to rebellious children... who carry out a plan, but not Mine... | Rebuking reliance on human plans over God's. |
| Rom 8:31 | If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's protective and empowering presence. |
| Eph 6:10-17 | Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might... | Spiritual battle requires God's strength. |
| John 10:27 | My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. | Believers are to listen and follow Christ's voice. |
| Heb 3:7-8 | Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts... | Importance of immediate obedience to God's voice. |
| Deut 28:1-2 | If you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God... all these blessings shall come upon you... | Blessings are tied to obedience to God's voice. |
| 1 Chron 13:3 | ...let us bring back the ark of our God... for we did not seek it in the days of Saul. | David learning the importance of seeking God's will. |
| Ps 118:8-9 | It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. | Trust in God surpasses human trust. |
| Jdg 6:36-40 | Gideon asking for a sign of dew on fleece. | God providing specific, unusual signs. |
| 1 Sam 23:2-4 | David inquired of the LORD... and the LORD said to David, "Go..." | David consistently inquired of God. |
| Ps 27:4 | One thing I ask from the LORD... that I may dwell in the house of the LORD... to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple. | Desire to continually seek God. |
| Pro 21:30-31 | No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. | Human plans are subject to God's sovereignty. |
| 2 Sam 5:17-21 | The first Philistine battle where David inquired and attacked directly. | Contrast with the current verse's new strategy. |
1 Chronicles 14 verses
1 Chronicles 14 13 Meaning
In 1 Chronicles 14:13, King David, facing a renewed Philistine threat despite a recent victory, again sought guidance from God. God responded with specific instructions for battle: not to engage in a direct, frontal assault as before, but to circle around the enemy and launch an attack from a precise location in front of the balsam trees. This demonstrates David's continuous dependence on divine counsel and God's active involvement in Israel's military affairs, providing tailored strategies for distinct situations.
1 Chronicles 14 13 Context
Chapter 14 of 1 Chronicles describes David's successful reign after securing Jerusalem and defeating the Philistines. Verse 13 specifically occurs after David's first victory against the Philistines in the Valley of Rephaim (verses 8-12). Despite his recent triumph and growing fame (verse 17), David does not become overconfident or rely on past strategies. When the Philistines return, he demonstrates a profound and consistent dependence on God by inquiring for a second time, signifying that even continued success does not diminish the need for divine guidance. This sets the stage for God's detailed, specific, and counter-intuitive battle plan, culminating in another decisive victory (verses 14-16). The historical context reveals David's role as a king who consistently sought God's will, contrasting with previous rulers who neglected divine counsel.
1 Chronicles 14 13 Word analysis
- And David: Connects the ongoing narrative to David's consistent actions as king.
- inquired (שָׁאַל, sha'al): This Hebrew verb signifies to ask, to seek, or to consult. It conveys more than just asking a question; it implies a deeper search for counsel or a decision to be guided by divine will. It points to David's humility and reliance on God.
- of God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): Refers to the God of Israel. It indicates that the ultimate source of wisdom and authority for David's decisions was the Creator God, not human strategy or military might.
- again: This small word is profoundly significant. It highlights David's sustained dependence on God, demonstrating that he did not assume previous success granted automatic future victories or negates the need for renewed divine guidance. It contrasts with Uzzah's error in a prior event (1 Chron 13), teaching a lesson in continuous, humble inquiry.
- and God said to him: Implies direct, personal, and authoritative divine communication, showing God's active involvement in Israel's history and in the specifics of their battles.
- You shall not go up (לֹא תַעֲלֶה, lo ta'aleh) after them: A negative command, preventing the immediate, frontal pursuit or attack. This implies a rejection of what might be the obvious military maneuver or even the strategy used in the previous engagement, emphasizing that God's ways are often unconventional and require obedience.
- circle around them (הֵסֵב עֲלֵיהֶם, heseb 'aleihem): A specific strategic instruction to outflank or come from an unexpected direction. This command showcases divine military acumen and often serves to highlight God's power through a less direct, more miraculous victory.
- and come upon them: The instruction to engage and attack, but only after following the prescribed circling maneuver.
- in front of the balsam trees (מִמּוּל הַבְּכָאִים, mimmul habbeḵa'îm): A precise geographic or landmark indicator.
- balsam trees (בְּכָאִים, beḵa'im): Often translated as mulberry trees or "weeping" trees, potentially named for the sap that exudes from them or due to a sound (implied in the following verse, 14:15, where a "sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees" signals God's movement). This specific landmark was crucial not only for location but as a place where God would reveal His active presence for the battle. This detail emphasizes the tangible and specific nature of God's guidance.
1 Chronicles 14 13 Bonus section
- The detail of "balsam trees" is echoed precisely in the parallel account in 2 Samuel 5:23, reinforcing the significance of this geographical marker and the specific nature of God's instructions.
- The Hebrew word for "balsam trees," beka'im, may be connected to the verb bakah, meaning "to weep." This could symbolically allude to the Philistines weeping in defeat or to the sound associated with the trees being like a weeping sound, signifying divine presence or lament for the enemy.
- David's consistent inquiry contrasts sharply with Saul's ultimate failure, who eventually consulted a medium because God had ceased to answer him (1 Sam 28:6). David established a pattern of divine consultation crucial for the prosperity of his kingdom.
- This instance illustrates God's personalized guidance for specific battles, showing His intricate involvement in the affairs of His people beyond broad principles. The strategy was unique to this battle, reinforcing the need for renewed seeking.
1 Chronicles 14 13 Commentary
1 Chronicles 14:13 reveals the spiritual discipline and military wisdom that characterized King David. Following a decisive victory against the Philistines, one might expect David to leverage his success and repeat his strategy. However, David's immediate inclination was to "inquire of God again." This singular word "again" is foundational; it underscores a posture of perpetual dependence on the Lord, humility even in triumph, and a refusal to rely on past achievements or human ingenuity. God's response was not a mere endorsement of David's previous tactics but a completely new, counter-intuitive strategy: to "circle around" and attack from "in front of the balsam trees." This command tests David's obedience and faith. It demonstrates that God's plans are sovereign and dynamic, often requiring flexible obedience rather than rigid adherence to previous methods. The very specific instruction about the "balsam trees" sets the stage for a unique divine sign in the next verse (1 Chron 14:15), emphasizing God's direct intervention. This serves as a vital lesson: God is not a formula; His wisdom and strategy adapt to each unique challenge, requiring us to continuously seek His specific direction in every situation.