New International Versionso David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees.
New Living TranslationAnd once again David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees.
English Standard VersionAnd when David again inquired of God, God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees.
Berean Standard BibleSo David again inquired of God, who answered him, “Do not march up after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
King James BibleTherefore David inquired 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.
New King James VersionTherefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.
New American Standard BibleDavid inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the baka-shrubs.
NASB 1995David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
NASB 1977And David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around behind them, and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
Legacy Standard BibleSo David again asked of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go directly up after them; circle around from behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
Amplified BibleSo David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “Do not go up after them; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
Christian Standard BibleSo David again inquired of God, and God answered him, “Do not pursue them directly. Circle around them and attack them opposite the balsam trees.
Holman Christian Standard BibleSo David again inquired of God, and God answered him, “Do not pursue them directly. Circle around them and attack them opposite the balsam trees.
American Standard VersionAnd David inquired again of God; and God said unto him, Thou shalt not go up after them: turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.
Contemporary English VersionDavid asked God what he should do, and God answered, "Don't attack them from the front. Circle around behind them where the balsam trees are.
English Revised VersionAnd David inquired again of God; and God said unto him, Thou shalt not go up after them: turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationOnce more David asked God. God answered him, "Don't go after them. Circle around, and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
Good News TranslationOnce more David consulted God, who answered, "Don't attack them from here, but go around and get ready to attack them from the other side, near the balsam trees.
International Standard VersionWhen David asked God about it, God told him, "Don't directly attack them. Instead, go around them and come up against them opposite those balsam trees.
NET BibleSo David again asked God what he should do. This time God told him, "Don't march up after them; circle around them and come against them in front of the trees.
New Heart English BibleAnd David inquired again of God; and God said to him, "You shall not go up after them. Turn away from them, and come at them opposite the poplar trees.
Webster's Bible TranslationTherefore David inquired again of God: and God said to him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo David again inquired of God, who answered him, “Do not march up after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
World English BibleDavid inquired again of God; and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them. Turn away from them, and come on them opposite the mulberry trees. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand David asks again of God, and God says to him, “Do not go up after them, turn around from them, and you have come to them from the front [[or in front]] of the mulberries;
Young's Literal Translation and David asketh again of God, and God saith to him, 'Do not go up after them, turn round from them, and thou hast come to them from over-against the mulberries;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd David will yet ask in God: and God will say to him, Thou shalt not go up after them; turn about from off them, and go to them from the front of the weepings. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd David consulted God again, and God said to him: Go not up after them, turn away from them, and come upon them over against the pear trees.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd again, David consulted God. And God said to him: “You shall not ascend after them. Draw away from them. And you shall come against them opposite the balsam trees.
New American Bibleand again David inquired of God. But God answered him: Do not try to pursue them, but go around them and come against them near the balsam trees.
New Revised Standard VersionWhen David again inquired of God, God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come on them opposite the balsam trees. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore David inquired again of God; and God said to him, You shall not go up after them; but turn away from them, and go attack them from the front.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd David asked again of LORD JEHOVAH, and he said to him: “Do not go up, but turn yourselves from them and go take them from their front.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And David inquired again of God; and God said unto him: 'Thou shalt not go up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd David enquired of God again; and God said to him, Thou shalt not go after them; turn away from them, and thou shalt come upon them near the pear trees.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Two Victories over the Philistines… 13Once again the Philistines raided the valley. 14So Davidagaininquiredof God,whoansweredhim,“Do notmarch upafter them,but circle aroundthemand attackthemin front ofthe balsam trees.15As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because this will mean that God has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”…
Cross References 2 Samuel 5:23-25So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. / As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” / So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
Joshua 6:2-5And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. / March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. / Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. ...
Judges 7:2-7Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ / Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. / Then the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go. But if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” ...
2 Kings 3:16-18and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ / For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’ / This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.
Isaiah 30:21And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”
Psalm 32:8I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.
Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Isaiah 48:17Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your benefit, who directs you in the way you should go.
Jeremiah 10:23I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.
John 10:27My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
Acts 16:6-10After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. / And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them. / So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. ...
Romans 8:14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10-12But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. / For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. / We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
Galatians 5:18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Ephesians 1:17-18that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. / I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,
Treasury of Scripture Therefore David inquired again of God; and God said to him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees. enquired 1 Chronicles 14:10 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. Psalm 27:4 Onething have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. turn away Joshua 8:2-7 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it… John 9:6,7 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, … Jump to Previous AttackBalsamCircleDavidDirectionsFaceFrontInquiredMulberriesMulberryMulberry-TreesOppositeOver-AgainstRoundSpice-TreesStraightTreesTurnTurningJump to Next AttackBalsamCircleDavidDirectionsFaceFrontInquiredMulberriesMulberryMulberry-TreesOppositeOver-AgainstRoundSpice-TreesStraightTreesTurnTurning1 Chronicles 14 1.Hiram's kindness to David2.David's fortune in people, wives, and children8.His two victories against the PhilistinesSo David again inquired of GodDavid's practice of seeking God's guidance is a recurring theme in his life, demonstrating his reliance on divine wisdom rather than his own understanding. This inquiry reflects a pattern seen in 1 Samuel 23:2 and 2 Samuel 5:19, where David consistently seeks God's direction before making strategic decisions. It underscores the importance of prayer and seeking God's will in all matters, a principle that is echoed in Proverbs 3:5-6. who answered him
God's response to David's inquiry highlights the personal relationship between God and David. This interaction is reminiscent of God's communication with other biblical figures such as Moses and Joshua, where God provides direct guidance. It emphasizes the belief that God is actively involved in the lives of His people and is willing to provide direction when sought earnestly. “Do not march up after them
God's instruction to David not to pursue the Philistines directly suggests a strategic approach to warfare that relies on divine insight rather than conventional military tactics. This directive is similar to God's guidance in other battles, such as the unconventional strategy given to Joshua at Jericho (Joshua 6:2-5). It illustrates the principle that God's ways are higher than human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). but circle around them
The command to circle around the enemy indicates a tactical maneuver that would catch the Philistines off guard. This strategy reflects the wisdom of God in providing a plan that ensures victory while minimizing risk. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's instructions, even when they may seem unconventional. and attack them in front of the balsam trees
The mention of balsam trees provides a geographical marker that situates the event in a specific location, likely in the Valley of Rephaim, known for its balsam groves. This detail not only adds historical authenticity but also connects to the broader biblical narrative where specific locations often hold spiritual significance. The balsam trees may symbolize a place of divine intervention, similar to other significant locations in Israel's history, such as the oak of Moreh (Genesis 12:6-7) or the terebinth tree in Ophrah (Judges 6:11). Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe second king of Israel, known for his heart after God and his military prowess. In this passage, David seeks God's guidance for battle. 2. GodThe sovereign Lord who guides and directs David, providing specific instructions for victory. 3. Balsam TreesA specific location mentioned where God instructs David to position his troops for a strategic advantage. 4. PhilistinesThe recurring adversaries of Israel, representing opposition and challenges to God's people. 5. Inquiry of GodDavid's practice of seeking divine guidance before making decisions, demonstrating his dependence on God. Teaching Points Dependence on GodDavid's inquiry of God before battle underscores the importance of seeking divine guidance in all aspects of life. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a habit of prayer and reliance on God for direction. Obedience to God's InstructionsThe specific strategy given by God required David's obedience. This teaches the importance of following God's instructions, even when they differ from conventional wisdom. God's Strategic WisdomGod's guidance to attack from a specific location demonstrates His understanding of the best strategies for victory. Believers can trust that God's ways are higher and wiser than human plans. Listening for God's TimingThe instruction to wait for a specific sign (as detailed in the parallel account) highlights the importance of God's timing. Patience and attentiveness to God's signals are crucial for success. Victory through FaithfulnessDavid's success in battle was a result of his faithfulness to God's commands. This illustrates that true victory in life comes through faithfulness to God. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 14
What does the tabernacle of David refer to?
1 Chronicles 14:8–17 – How do we reconcile any discrepancies between this account of David’s battles with the Philistines and the parallel text in 2 Samuel 5?
1 Chronicles 14:1 - Is there historical evidence for King Hiram of Tyre supplying David with materials and builders for his palace?
In 2 Chronicles 2:11-12, why does Tyrian King Hiram express devotion to Israel's God when no independent Tyrian records verify such reverence?(14) Therefore David enquired.--The first half of this verse is fuller and clearer than in Samuel. The second half must be adjusted by comparison with the older text, which reads, "Thou must not go up [LXX., "to meet them "]; go round to their rear, and come upon them in front of the baca trees." Probably the terms rendered "after them" and "from them" should be slightly modified and transposed in our text. This will give, " Go not up against them; go round to their rear," &c., as in Samuel. Mulberry trees.--The traditional Jewish rendering ofbeka'im, a Hebrew word only occurring here and in the parallel passage of Samuel. Probably the kind of balsam tree calledb?k? by the Arabs is meant. It sheds a gum like tears, whence its name. (Heb.,b?k?, "to weep.") (Comp.Psalm 84:6.) Verse 14. - Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. The meaning of the directions as here given is sufficiently evident, yet it is somewhat more forcibly expressed in the parallel place, "Thou shalt not go up," i.e. "against the Philistines" (see our tenth verse, and note the form of David's inquiry); " butfetch a compass behind them." The mulberry trees were evidently behind the Philistines. The Hebrew word for the trees here spoken of is הַבְּכָאִים, and the correct rendering of it is probably neither "mulberry" nor, as the Septuagint and Vulgate translate, "pear" trees. But judging from the probable derivation ( בָּכָה, to weep), they were trees of the balsam species, and it seems that this is as far as we can safely conjecture. One of the latest authorities (see Condor's 'Handbook to the Bible,' p. 398, 2nd edit.) pronounces it an "unknown species." The tree, strange to say, is only mentioned here and in the parallel place. A summary of opinions as to the tree intended may be found in Smith's 'Bible Dictionary,' 2:439, and this is just sufficient to show that it is not as yet identified with any semblance of certainty. However, it is easy to understand hew the balsam species, from which the exuding gum resembles "tears," might come by the name set forth in the present Hebrew root.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew So Davidדָּוִיד֙(dā·wîḏ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesseagainע֤וֹד(‘ō·wḏ)Adverb
Strong's 5750:Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, moreinquiredוַיִּשְׁאַ֨ל(way·yiš·’al)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7592:To inquire, to request, to demandof God,בֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים(bê·lō·hîm)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativewhoהָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeansweredוַיֹּ֤אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, sayhim,לוֹ֙(lōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew“Do notלֹ֥א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nomarch upתַֽעֲלֶ֖ה(ṯa·‘ă·leh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5927:To ascend, in, activelyafter them,אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם(’a·ḥă·rê·hem)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 310:The hind or following partbut circle aroundהָסֵב֙(hā·sêḇ)Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5437:To turn about, go around, surroundthemמֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֔ם(mê·‘ă·lê·hem)Preposition-m | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstand attackוּבָ֥אתָ(ū·ḇā·ṯā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, gothemלָהֶ֖ם(lā·hem)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992:Theyin front ofמִמּ֥וּל(mim·mūl)Preposition-m
Strong's 4136:Abrupt, a precipice, the front, oppositethe balsam trees.הַבְּכָאִֽים׃(hab·bə·ḵā·’îm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1057:The weeping tree
Links 1 Chronicles 14:14 NIV1 Chronicles 14:14 NLT1 Chronicles 14:14 ESV1 Chronicles 14:14 NASB1 Chronicles 14:14 KJV
1 Chronicles 14:14 BibleApps.com1 Chronicles 14:14 Biblia Paralela1 Chronicles 14:14 Chinese Bible1 Chronicles 14:14 French Bible1 Chronicles 14:14 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Chronicles 14:14 David inquired again of God (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr) |
