1 Chronicles 14:14

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1 Chronicles 14:14 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

So 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 Version KJV

Therefore 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.

American Standard Version ASV

And 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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And David went for directions to God; and God said to him, You are not to go up after them; but, turning away from them, come face to face with them opposite the spice-trees.

Free Bible Version FBV

David consulted God again. “Don't make a frontal attack,” God told him. “Instead go around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And when Dauid asked againe counsell at God, God said to him, Thou shalt not goe vp after them, but turne away from them, that thou mayest come vpon them ouer against the mulberie trees.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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;

World English Bible WEB

David 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.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Therefore 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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And 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.

Translation for Translators T4T

So again David prayed to God to ask him what he should do, and God replied, saying “Do not attack the army of Philistia from the front. Instead, go around them, and attack them from the rear in front of the balsam trees.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Chronicles 14:14

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Chronicles 14:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֨ל ע֤וֹד דָּוִיד֙ בֵּֽ/אלֹהִ֔ים וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר ל/וֹ֙ הָֽ/אֱלֹהִ֔ים לֹ֥א תַֽעֲלֶ֖ה אַֽחֲרֵי/הֶ֑ם הָסֵב֙ מֵֽ/עֲלֵי/הֶ֔ם וּ/בָ֥אתָ לָ/הֶ֖ם מִ/מּ֥וּל הַ/בְּכָאִֽים

וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֨ל shâʼal H7592 to ask Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

ע֤וֹד ʻôwd H5750 still Adv

דָּוִיד֙ Dâvid H1732 David N-proper

בֵּֽ/אלֹהִ֔ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 God Prep | N-mp

וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

ל/וֹ֙ Prep | Suff

הָֽ/אֱלֹהִ֔ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 God Art | N-mp

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Part

תַֽעֲלֶ֖ה ʻâlâh H5927 to ascend V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

אַֽחֲרֵי/הֶ֑ם ʼachar H310 after Prep | Suff

הָסֵב֙ çâbab H5437 to turn V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms

מֵֽ/עֲלֵי/הֶ֔ם ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Prep | Suff

וּ/בָ֥אתָ bôwʼ H935 Lebo Conj | V-Qal-2ms

לָ/הֶ֖ם Prep | Suff

מִ/מּ֥וּל mûwl H4136 opposite Prep | Prep

הַ/בְּכָאִֽים bâkâʼ H1057 balsam Art | N-mp

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Chronicles 14:14

וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֨ל shâʼal H7592 "to ask" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

To ask or inquire, this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe seeking information or requesting something. It can also mean to beg or borrow, and is used in many different contexts throughout the Old Testament. The KJV translates it as ask, beg, or borrow.

Definition: 1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to ask, ask for 1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow 1a3) to enquire, enquire of 1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle) 1a5) to seek 1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully 1c2) to beg, practise beggary 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to be given on request 1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to Aramaic equivalent: she.el (שְׁאֵל "to ask" H7593)

Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. See also: Genesis 24:47; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 2:8.

ע֤וֹד ʻôwd H5750 "still" Adv

The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.

Definition: subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)

Usage: Occurs in 459 OT verses. KJV: again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within). See also: Genesis 4:25; Judges 9:37; 2 Chronicles 32:16.

דָּוִיד֙ Dâvid H1732 "David" N-proper

David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.

Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel

Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.

בֵּֽ/אלֹהִ֔ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" Prep | N-mp

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

ל/וֹ֙ "" Prep | Suff

הָֽ/אֱלֹהִ֔ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" Art | N-mp

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

תַֽעֲלֶ֖ה ʻâlâh H5927 "to ascend" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.

Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself

Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.

אַֽחֲרֵי/הֶ֑ם ʼachar H310 "after" Prep | Suff

Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.

Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after

Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.

הָסֵב֙ çâbab H5437 "to turn" V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms

To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.

Definition: : turn/bring_around 1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change 1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round 1b2) to be turned over to 1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform 1d) (Poel) 1d1) to encompass, surround 1d2) to come about, assemble round 1d3) to march, go about 1d4) to enclose, envelop 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round 1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be turned 1f2) to be surrounded

Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, [idiom] whirl, [idiom] round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset (about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to come about, [idiom] circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round), drive, environ, [idiom] on every side, beset (close, come, compass, go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back). See also: Genesis 2:11; 1 Chronicles 16:43; Psalms 7:8.

מֵֽ/עֲלֵי/הֶ֔ם ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

וּ/בָ֥אתָ bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" Conj | V-Qal-2ms

This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.

Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter

Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.

לָ/הֶ֖ם "" Prep | Suff

מִ/מּ֥וּל mûwl H4136 "opposite" Prep | Prep

This word means opposite or in front of, often used to describe location or direction. In Exodus 14:2, the Israelites camped in front of Pi-ha-hiroth, facing the sea. It provides a sense of spatial awareness and orientation in biblical contexts.

Definition: 1) front 1a) front 1b) in the opposite direction prep 2) in front of 2a) in front of 2b) (with prefix) 2b1) towards the front of, to the front of, on the front of 2b2) from the front of, off the front of, close in front of, on the forefront of

Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: (over) against, before, (fore-) front, from, (God-) ward, toward, with. See also: Exodus 18:19; Deuteronomy 11:30; Micah 2:8.

הַ/בְּכָאִֽים bâkâʼ H1057 "balsam" Art | N-mp

The balsam tree is a shrub that produces a valuable sap, perhaps the same tree mentioned in Psalm 84:6. It was highly valued for its medicinal properties and is still referenced today for its fragrant resin.

Definition: 1) balsam tree-a shrub which drips sap when it is cut 2) possible name of a vale of balsam trees in Ps 84:6

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: mulberry tree. See also: 2 Samuel 5:23; 1 Chronicles 14:14; 1 Chronicles 14:15.

Study Notes — 1 Chronicles 14:14

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Chronicles 14:14 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 14:14
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 14:14
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 14:14
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 14:14
Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 14:14
Sermons on 1 Chronicles 14:14

Context — Two Victories over the Philistines

12There the Philistines abandoned their gods, and David ordered that they be burned in the fire. 13Once again the Philistines raided the valley.

14So 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.

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 gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 16So David did as God had commanded him, and they struck down the army of the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	John 9:6–7	When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.
2	1 Chronicles 14:10	So David inquired of God, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will deliver them into your hand.”
3	Psalms 27:4	One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.
4	Joshua 8:2–7	And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city.” So Joshua and the whole army set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose 30,000 mighty men of valor and sent them out at night with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready. Then I and all the troops with me will advance on the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them. They will pursue us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, ‘The Israelites are running away from us as they did before.’ So as we flee from them, you are to rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.

1 Chronicles 14:14 Summary

[In 1 Chronicles 14:14, David asked God for guidance on how to defeat the Philistines, and God gave him a specific plan of action. This shows us that God cares about the details of our lives and wants us to trust Him, just as David did. As the Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6, we should trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. By following God's instructions, David was able to trust in God's power and presence, and this led to a great victory, reminding us that when we trust in God, He can do great things through us, as seen in Ephesians 3:20.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did David inquire of God again in 1 Chronicles 14:14?

David inquired of God again because he recognized his need for divine guidance in battle, just as he did in 1 Chronicles 14:10, and as the Bible teaches us to do in Proverbs 3:5-6.

What is the significance of the balsam trees in this verse?

The balsam trees in 1 Chronicles 14:14 served as a location where David was to attack the Philistines, and their mention in the following verse indicates that God would give a sign of His presence through the sound of marching in the tops of these trees, similar to how God provided signs in other battles, such as in Joshua 6:1-27.

How did David's trust in God affect the outcome of the battle?

David's trust in God, demonstrated by his decision to follow God's instructions in 1 Chronicles 14:14-16, led to a great victory over the Philistines, illustrating the principle found in Psalm 20:7 that trust in God is essential for success in our endeavors.

What can we learn from David's example in this verse about seeking God's guidance?

From David's example in 1 Chronicles 14:14, we learn the importance of seeking God's guidance in all aspects of life, as encouraged in Jeremiah 33:3 and Psalm 119:105, and trusting in His sovereignty, as expressed in Romans 11:33-36.

Reflection Questions

How do I seek God's guidance in my own life, especially in times of uncertainty or conflict, and what role does prayer play in this process?
What are some 'balsam trees' in my life where God may be calling me to trust Him and take action, and how can I discern His will in these situations?
In what ways can I apply the principle of trusting in God's presence and guidance, as seen in 1 Chronicles 14:14-15, to my own challenges and battles, and what Bible verses can encourage me in this?
How does David's experience in this verse relate to the broader theme of faith and obedience in the Bible, and what lessons can I learn from his example about following God's commands?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 14:14

[See comments on 1 Chronicles 14:1].

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 14:14

Therefore 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. Go not up after them.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 14:14

1 Chronicles 14:14 Therefore 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.Ver. 14. Against the mulberry trees.] Where the Philistines had placed their gods, say the Hebrews.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 14:14

(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 of beka’îm, a Hebrew word only occurring here and in the parallel passage of Samuel. Probably the kind of balsam tree called bãkâ by the Arabs is meant. It sheds a gum like tears, whence its name. (Heb., bãkâ, “to weep.”) (Comp. Psalms 84:6.)

Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 14:14

14. Therefore David] R.V. And David. Go not up] R.V. Thou shalt not go up. Go not up after them] In 2 Samuel 5:23 the words after them are connected with the following verb: Thou shalt not go up: make a circuit behind them. In Samuel the command is to assail the rear of the enemy, in Chronicles to avoid the rear (which was perhaps protected by a rearguard) and to attack (presumably) the flank. The reading in Chronicles is to be preferred as a harder reading, which yields good sense on examination. from them] The Heb. word suggests that David occupied a commanding position from which he would be tempted to attack. over against the balsam trees] Render, along, parallel to. The line of David’s attack is to be parallel to a line of balsam trees (or to a ridge on which balsam trees stood) situate probably at right angles to the line of the Philistine march. Thus David’s advance would be concealed from the Philistines until the very moment of the attack, which would fall on the flank of the Philistine march. mulberry trees] R.V. mg. balsam trees. Some kind of tree or shrub from which gum exudes seems to be meant.

Sermons on 1 Chronicles 14:14

	Sermon	Description
	David - Failure and Effectiveness by Devern Fromke	In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a group of people who were enthusiastic about evangelizing and helping forgotten people in their country. They set up their own bak
	(John) 12 - the Light Refused by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jesus healing a man who was born blind. The preacher emphasizes that this story is not just about physical blindness, but also
	The Unfinished Work of Christ by Vance Havner	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of taking action and not just receiving the word of God. He uses the analogy of mud being applied to one's eyes and the need
	Founders Week Conference 1974 - 01 by Vance Havner	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of personal involvement in spreading the word of God. He highlights the significance of individuals sharing their faith with
	Lake Johanna Conference by Vance Havner	In this sermon, the preacher reflects on various aspects of faith and the journey of a believer. The sermon begins with a question about a doctor's actions in the past, but quickly
	Seeing Christ at the Hour of His Return by Carter Conlon	This sermon emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the return of Christ, warning against complacency and a self-centered pursuit of God. It highlights the need to be like
	Wonderful by Phil Clarkson	In this sermon, the speaker begins by referencing Isaiah Chapter 9 and emphasizes the solemn responsibility of addressing an audience. He highlights the importance of not wasting p