Commentaria in I Paralipomenon
Chapter 14
1. And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedar trees, and masons and carpenters, to build him a house. 2. And David knew that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, and that his kingdom was lifted up over his people Israel. 3. And David took other wives at Jerusalem: and begot sons and daughters. 4. And these are the names of those that were born to him in Jerusalem: Samua, and Sobab, Nathan, and Solomon, 5. Jebahar, and Elisua, and Eliphalet. 6. Noga also, and Napheg, and Japhia. 7. Elisama, and Baaliada, and Eliphalet. 8. And the Philistines hearing that David was anointed king over all Israel, came up all to seek him: which when David heard, he went out to meet them. 9. And the Philistines coming were spread abroad in the valley of Raphaim. 10. And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up to the Philistines, and wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said to him: Go up, and I will deliver them into thy hand. 11. And when they were come up to Baalpharasim, David defeated them there, and said: God hath divided my enemies by my hand, as waters are divided; and therefore the name of that place was called Baalpharasim. 12. And they left there their gods, which David commanded to be burnt. 13. Another time also the Philistines made an inroad, and were spread abroad in the valley. 14. And David consulted God again, and God said to him: Go not up after them, turn away from them, and thou shalt come upon them over against the pear trees. 15. And when thou shalt hear the sound of one going on the tops of the pear trees, then thou shalt go out to battle. For God is gone out before thee, to smite the army of the Philistines. 16. And David did as God had commanded him, and he smote the army of the Philistines, from Gabaon even to Gazera. 17. And the name of David was renowned in all countries, and the Lord made all nations afraid of him.
I explained this chapter on 2 Kings 5.
2. And David knew that the Lord had confirmed him king of Israel,—from this, that he saw that all the Israelites of their own accord and by common consent had accepted him as king, and had submitted themselves to him, and freely offered him their help and service; and that Hiram also and the neighbouring kings honoured, loved and feared him as king of Israel.
14. And thou shalt come upon them (not directly, but going round their camp, namely from behind) over against the pear trees.—Why this? The Hebrews in St. Jerome, Angelomus and the Scholastic History answer: because the Philistines had set up their idols there, and thought that place the safest and best fortified; God therefore, to show that the idols are nothing and can do nothing, commands David to attack the enemy’s camp from that side, as the weakest and easiest to storm, promising him sure victory over both the idols and the idolaters.