Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Chronicles 14

Hiram's generosity showed more proof of God's plan to make David king.

Although the ark was not in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 13:1–14), God blessed David's palace, his children, and his victory over the Philistines. God's blessing did not rely on the ark's presence. These blessings eventually motivated David to follow through with his original plan to bring the ark into Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:1–29).

When David became ruler of all Israel, the Philistines attacked. They no longer saw him as under their control, as they did when he only ruled Judah. They attacked through the valley southwest of Jerusalem (see Joshua 15:8). Before the battle, David asked the Lord for guidance, unlike Saul, who asked a medium for help against the Philistines (1 Chronicles 10:13; see 1 Samuel 28).

David's orders to burn the Philistine idols followed God's instructions (Deuteronomy 7:5).