Cornelius a Lapide
Table of Contents
Synopsis of the Chapter
Hiram sends to David timber and craftsmen, who build him a house. David multiplies wives and sons, and, in verse 9, defeats the Philistines in the Valley of Rephaim, and again, in verse 14, when God came to his aid from the direction of the pear trees.
Vulgate Text: 1 Paralipomenon 14:1-17
1. And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar wood and craftsmen, of walls and timbers, to build him a house. 2. And David knew that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was exalted over his people Israel. 3. And David took more wives in Jerusalem: and he begot sons and daughters. 4. And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, 5. Ibhar, and Elishua, and Eliphalet. 6. And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia. 7. Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet. 8. And when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they all went up to seek him: and when David heard it, he went out to meet them. 9. And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. 10. And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up against the Philistines, and will You deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said to him: Go up, and I will deliver them into your hand. 11. And when they went up to Baal-perazim, David struck them there, and said: God has broken through my enemies by my hand, as waters break through; and therefore the name of that place was called Baal-perazim. 12. And they left their gods there, which David ordered to be burned. 13. And yet again the Philistines made a raid and spread themselves in the valley. 14. And David again consulted God, and God said to him: Do not go up after them, withdraw from them, and come against them from the direction of the pear trees. 15. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the pear trees, then go out to battle. For God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines. 16. So David did as God had commanded him, and he struck the camp of the Philistines, from Gibeon to Gezer. 17. And the fame of David spread throughout all lands, and the Lord put the fear of him upon all nations.
I explained this chapter at 2 Kings 5.
Verse 2: David Knew the Lord Had Confirmed Him
2. AND DAVID KNEW THAT THE LORD HAD CONFIRMED HIM AS KING OVER ISRAEL — from the fact that he saw all the Israelites voluntarily and by common consent accept him as king, and subject themselves to him, and freely offer him their help and service; and also that Hiram and the neighboring kings honored, loved, and feared him as king of Israel.
Verse 14: From the Direction of the Pear Trees
14. AND YOU SHALL COME AGAINST THEM (not directly, but by going around their camp, that is, from the rear) FROM THE DIRECTION OF THE PEAR TREES. — Why this? The Hebrews as cited by St. Jerome, Angelomus, and the Historia Scholastica answer that the Philistines had placed their idols there, and thought that place was the safest and most fortified: therefore God, to show that idols are nothing and can do nothing, commanded David to attack the enemy camp from that very side, as if it were the weakest and easiest to conquer, promising him certain victory over both the idols and the idolaters.