1 Chronicles

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.

1Hiram was the king of Tyre, a city near the sea. He sent men to David with cedar logs. He also sent workers who cut stone and workers who built with wood. They came to build a palace for David.

NoteThe KJV says "an house." This means a palace, a large home for a king.

2And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.

2David knew that the LORD had made him king over Israel for sure. God had made his kingdom great. God did this because he loved his people Israel.

3And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.

3In Jerusalem, David married more wives. He had more sons and daughters.

4Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,

4Here are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem. They were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon.

5And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,

5Then came Ibhar, Elishua, and Elpalet.

6And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

6Then came Nogah, Nepheg, and Japhia.

7And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.

7Then came Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphalet.

8And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them.

8The Philistines heard that David was now king over all Israel. Oil had been poured on his head to show he was chosen. So all the Philistines went out to look for him. David heard they were coming, and he went out to meet them.

9And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

9The Philistines came and spread out in the valley of Rephaim.

10And David enquired 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.

10David asked God, "Should I go up and fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD said, "Go. I will hand them over to you."

11So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.

11So they went up to a place called Baal-perazim. David beat the Philistines there. David said, "God has burst through my enemies. He used me to do it. It was like water bursting through a wall." That is why they named the place Baal-perazim.

NoteBaal-perazim means "the master of breaking through." The name matches what David said about the battle.

12And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.

12The Philistines ran away and left their idols behind. Idols are statues that people pray to. David gave an order, and the statues were burned in a fire.

13And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.

13The Philistines came back again. They spread out in the valley one more time.

14Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

14So David asked God what to do again. God told him, "Do not go straight up after them. Go around behind them instead. Attack them near the balsam trees."

NoteThe KJV says "mulberry trees." Most scholars think these were balsam trees, a different kind of tree.

15And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.

15"Listen at the tops of the balsam trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet, go out and fight. That sound means God has gone ahead of you. He will strike down the Philistine army."

16David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.

16David did just what God told him to do. They beat the Philistine army. They chased them all the way from Gibeon to Gazer.

17And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

17People in every land heard about David. The LORD made all the nations afraid of him.