1 Chronicles 14: 1- 17
The Lord goes round the mulberry tree
14 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house. 2 So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel. 3 Then David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David begot more sons and daughters. 4 And these are the names of his children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet. 8 Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them. 9 Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. 10 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.” 11 So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore, they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 12 And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. 13 Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley. 14 Therefore 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. 15 And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. 17 Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.
Does today’s message title mean anything to you? How about when you were a little kid or when you children were young? If you say it reminds you of the children’s rhyme ‘Here we go round the mulberry bush’ you win a cookie.
In case you forgot here are the lyrics;
Here we go round the mulberry bush
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush
Here we go round the mulberry bush
So early in the morning
This is the way we bale the hay
Bale the hay, bale the hay
This is the way we bale the hay
So early Monday morning
This is the way we feed the chicks
Feed the chicks, feed the chicks
This is the way we feed the chicks
So early Tuesday morning
This is the way we sweep the porch
Sweep the porch, sweep the porch
This is the way we sweep the porch
So early Wednesday morning
This is the way we paint the fence
Paint the fence, paint the fence
This is the way we paint the fence
So early Thursday morning
This is the way we groom the horse
Groom the horse, groom the horse
This is the way we groom the horse
So early Friday morning
Oh, this is the way we milk the cow’s
Milk the cows, milk the cows
This is the way we milk the cows
So early Saturday morning
Here we go round the mulberry bush
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush
Here we go round the mulberry bush
So early Sunday morning
Today we are going to see how our Great God inspired David to sing a victory song of how the Lord goes around the mulberry trees to save the Israelite people.
14 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house.
It was through The Lord God YHWH’s doing that Hiram king of Tyre did what he did. For he sent to him all that was needed to build a palace; cedar wood, masons and carpenters. And the implication is that the palace was finally built.
That David received gifts from a foreign king would have been seen as enhancing his reputation considerably (compare how Solomon received gifts from the Queen of Sheba (2 Chronicles 9). That the nations brought him gifts was the sign of a great monarch, and in Israel’s case a sign that God was with him.
2 So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.
David was established as king over all Israel, Hiram of Tyre was his friend in a treaty relationship. David thus perceived that his kingdom was exalted on high by the God of Israel YHWH over the whole region, and that for His people Israel’s sake.
3 Then David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David begot more sons and daughters.
That David took more wives at Jerusalem (on top of the six he had when at Hebron) must have been said somewhat reluctantly, for Deuteronomy had made clear that a king should not multiply wives to himself (Deuteronomy 17.17). But as it was the practice of ancient kings, it may not have been too greatly frowned on. However, it was seemingly made up for by his producing many sons and daughters, something which was always seen as being a sign of God’s blessing.
4 And these are the names of his children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
David begat thirteen sons in Jerusalem. Their names, as they are found in 3.5-8, are different. The dual names would suggest that some died in infancy. Such an abundance of sons would be indicating God’s approval of him.
When the Philistines heard that the one whom they saw as a vassal had been anointed as king over all Israel without their permission, they went in search of him to bring him into submission. But they were to learn that this was no Ishbosheth. He had nerves of steel and knew that YHWH was on his side. This is the first mention in Chronicles of David going out to battle, and in contrast with the defeated Saul he would overcome the Philistines. God was with David as He had not been with Saul. David’s success brings out the importance of obedience towards what God requires. Despite his failures he knew how to repent, trust and obey, counts on which Saul failed completely.
8 Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them.
Learning that David had been anointed as king over all Israel the Philistines wasted no time. They saw Israel west of Jordan as under their control. So, they went to seek him out to force him into submission but when David heard of it he went out against them. It would not be what they were expecting, for since Mount Gilboa they had been used to having their own way.
9 Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim.
The Philistines had made their way into the Valley of Rephaim. This was a fertile valley to the south west of Jerusalem, between Jerusalem and Bethlehem
10 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.”
In contrast with his failure to do so with respect to the bringing up of the Ark to Jerusalem, David here enquires of YHWH before he acts. He asks YHWH whether, if he goes up against the Philistines, YHWH will deliver them into his hand. This questioning may have taken place by means of the Urim and Thummim in the High Priest’s breast pouch, the lots falling to demonstrate a positive response. But contrast with verses 14-15 may indicate a more positive method, possibly through a prophet. YHWH’s reply was positive. “Go up for I will deliver them into your hand.” When YHWH was consulted all went smoothly.
11 So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore, they called the name of that place Baal Perazim.
David and his men came up to Baal-perazim, which means ‘the Lord of breaking forth’. And there David defeated them thoroughly and declared, “God has broken my enemies by my hand, like the breach of waters.” In other words, he saw ‘the Lord’ as having broken forth on them, like a dam breaks forth when it is breached, and as having given him the victory.
12 And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
The panic with which the Philistines fled is brought out by the fact that they deserted their gods, leaving them in the hands of their enemy. This would only happen because of wholesale flight. It was apparent that YHWH had defeated not only the Philistines but also their gods. And David commanded that the gods be burned up. This would remove any defilement from the land. (2 Samuel 5.21 it says, ‘David and his men took them away’. But this was no doubt to burn them.
This second Philistine invasion would no doubt be in greater force. They would want to avenge their defeat, and they now knew how strong David was. They would not be so easy to defeat this time, and so God puts forward a new strategy. They were not to simply go up against them but were to circle round and approach them from the side, probably by surprise. Then at God’s signal they were to attack, and God would go out before them and smite the host of the Philistines.
13 Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley.
The Philistines now raided again a second time, no doubt in greater numbers, and again took up their position in the valley of Rephaim.
14 Therefore 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. 15 And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”
God now warns against a direct approach. Rather they are to turn away from them and come up on them over against the mulberry trees. Possibly these would hide them from the enemy. Then when they heard the stirring of the wind in the mulberry trees it would be an indication that God’s Spirit was about to act, and they must burst out on the enemy. For it would be a sign that God had gone out before them to smite the Philistine host.
16 So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer.
Write this statement down and memorize it, ‘Implicit obedience achieves the desired effect’. David did as our Great God commanded him and they won a great victory, driving the Philistines northward towards Gibeon and Geba, and then continuing to smite them from Gibeon to Gezer. The victory is seen to be all of God.
Gibeon was 5 miles north west of Jerusalem and is now known as el-Jib. Gezer is found on the road from Jerusalem to Joppa on the most northern ridge of the Shephelah (the lower hill country). In the time of David, it was controlled by the Philistines, possibly under Egyptian control. Certainly, it was the Pharaoh who gave the city to his daughter on her wedding to Solomon. Thus, the battle raged as the Philistines fought a rearguard action until they had found refuge in Gezer.
2 Samuel 5.25 has Geba rather than Gibeon. Geba was 6 miles north of Jerusalem. Thus, Geba and Gibeon were close, and both could have been involved in the battle. David’s success as he drove the Philistines back began near the very place from which Saul derived. David had now replaced Saul.
17 Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.
Because of these battles and other exploits David’s fame spread to many lands, with the result that he began to be feared, because ‘YHWH brought the fear of him on all nations.
