- 113-
to write in chronological order. Hence we have also here notices of the palace which
David built on Mount Zion, and of the help which Hiram, king of Tyre, gave him
both in men and materials, and even of David's fresh alliances and of their issues,
although the children were born at a much later period than this.^264 As we
understand it, soon after his accession, probably after the capture of Jerusalem and
the final defeat of the Philistines, Hiram sent an embassy of congratulation to David,
which led to an interchange of courtesies and to the aid which the king of Tyre gave
in David's architectural undertakings.^265
Different feelings from those in Israel were awakened in Philistia by the tidings of
David's elevation to the throne of united Israel, and of his conquest of the Jebusite
fort. The danger to their supremacy was too real to be overlooked. On their
approach, David retired to the stronghold of Zion. While the Philistines advanced
unopposed as far as the valley of Rephaim, which is only separated by a mountain-
ridge from that of Ben-Hinnom, David "inquired of Jehovah." So near had danger
come, and so strongly did the king feel that he must take no step without Divine
direction to avert it. For, placing ourselves on the standpoint of those times, this was
the best, if not the only way of manifesting entire dependence on God's guidance -
even to the incurring of what seemed near danger in so doing, and also the best if not
the only way of teaching his followers much-needed lessons of allegiance to
Jehovah, with all that religiously and morally followed from it.
The answer of the Lord conveyed promised assurance of help, and hence of victory.
And in this light David afterwards described his triumph, exclaiming, "Broken in
hath Jehovah upon mine enemies before me." To perpetuate this higher bearing of
the victory, the spot was ever afterwards called "Baal-perazim" ("possessor of
breaches"), - and from Isaiah 28:21, we know that the solemn import of the name
never passed from memory. The victory and its meaning were the more notable that
the Philistines had brought their gods with them to the battle, as Israel the Ark on a
former occasion. Their idols were now burned by command of David, in accordance
with Deuteronomy 7:5, 25. Yet a second time did the Philistines come up to
Rephaim to retrieve their disaster. On this occasion also David was divinely directed
- no doubt the more clearly to mark the Divine interposition: "Thou shalt not go up
(viz., against them in front); turn thyself upon their rear, and come upon them from
opposite the Bacha-trees.^266 And when thou hearest the sound of marching in the
tops of the Bacha-trees, then be quick, for then shall Jehovah go forth before thee to
smite in the host of the Philistines." It was as David had been told; and the rout of
the Philistines extended from Gibeon^267 to the Gazer road, which runs from Nether
Bethhoron to the sea.
Thus far for the political results of David's elevation, which are placed first in the
"Book of Samuel," as dealing primarily with the political aspect of his kingdom,
(^)