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1 Chronicles

Retells some stories from Samuel and Kings, focusing on King David and the importance of worship.

Chapter 14

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

*Now, the king of Tyre, named Hiram, sent people to David with wood from special trees called cedars. They also brought builders and woodworkers to help David build a big house.

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

*David understood that God made him king of Israel, as his rule was raised higher due to his people Israel.

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

*David married more women in Jerusalem and had more children.

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

*Now, these are the names of his kids born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon.

5 And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,

*And Ibhar, Elishua, and Elpalet, (Note: The original text is already quite simple, so the simplification here is minimal.)

6 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

*And Nogah, Nepheg, and Japhia.

7 And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.

*Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphalet.

8 And 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.

*When the Philistines learned that David became king of all Israel, they searched for him. When David found out, he went to face them.

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

*The Philistines arrived and spread out in the Rephaim Valley.

10 And 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.

*David asked God if he should fight the Philistines and if God would help him win. God told David to go ahead because He would give the Philistines into David's control.

11 So 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.

*So, David and his team reached Baalperazim. There, David defeated them. He said, "God helped me defeat my enemies easily, like water bursting out." That's why this place was named Baalperazim.

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

*When they abandoned their gods, David ordered them to be destroyed by fire.

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

*The Philistines spread out again in the valley area.

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.

*So, David asked God for advice again, and God told him not to chase the others. Instead, he should move around them and approach them near some mulberry trees.

15 And 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.

*When you hear rustling at the top of the mulberry trees, it's time to fight, because God is already fighting against the Philistine army ahead of you.

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

*So, David followed God's instructions and attacked the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gazer.

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

*David's reputation spread everywhere, and God made everyone afraid of him in every country.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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