1 Chronicles 13 2

1 Chronicles 13:2 kjv

And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us:

1 Chronicles 13:2 nkjv

And David said to all the assembly of Israel, "If it seems good to you, and if it is of the LORD our God, let us send out to our brethren everywhere who are left in all the land of Israel, and with them to the priests and Levites who are in their cities and their common-lands, that they may gather together to us;

1 Chronicles 13:2 niv

He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, "If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us.

1 Chronicles 13:2 esv

And David said to all the assembly of Israel, "If it seems good to you and from the LORD our God, let us send abroad to our brothers who remain in all the lands of Israel, as well as to the priests and Levites in the cities that have pasturelands, that they may be gathered to us.

1 Chronicles 13:2 nlt

Then he addressed the entire assembly of Israel as follows: "If you approve and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send messages to all the Israelites throughout the land, including the priests and Levites in their towns and pasturelands. Let us invite them to come and join us.

1 Chronicles 13 verses

1 Chronicles 13 2 Meaning

In 1 Chronicles 13:2, King David articulates a proposal to the entire assembly of Israel. He seeks their collective agreement and, crucially, the divine approval of the LORD God, before embarking on a national initiative. This initiative involves dispatching messengers throughout all regions of Israel to their kinsfolk, specifically including priests and Levites within their designated cities and common lands. The ultimate aim is to gather everyone together, signifying a unified national effort to retrieve the Ark of God, which was seen as the central symbol of God's presence and covenant with Israel.

1 Chronicles 13 2 Context

Chapter 13 marks a significant moment in David's reign after consolidating his kingship over all Israel and conquering Jerusalem as his capital (1 Chron 11). Having established political and military stability, David’s primary concern shifts to spiritual matters, aiming to restore proper worship and bring God's presence, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant, to the center of the nation's life. For decades, the Ark had resided in Kiriath-jearim, largely neglected since its return by the Philistines. David's initiative is thus a profound act of national and spiritual renewal. This verse establishes his approach: not a unilateral decree, but a proposal put forth for communal approval, underpinned by the paramount need for God's explicit blessing and will. It highlights David's understanding that such a foundational act for the nation must involve not only the king's heart but also the consensus of the people and, most critically, the direction of the Almighty. The emphasis on including priests and Levites reflects an awareness of the Mosaic Law's requirements concerning the handling of the sacred Ark.

1 Chronicles 13 2 Word analysis

• And David said to all the assembly of Israel: This indicates David's leadership style. Rather than an autocratic command, he presents his vision to the entire national body, showing a desire for broad consensus and popular support for this significant spiritual undertaking. "Assembly" (קָהָל, qahal) denotes a convoked congregation, signifying collective decision-making.
• "If it seems good to you": (וְאִם־יָשַׁר֩ עֲלֵיכֶם֩, wĕ'im-yāshar 'ăleikhem), lit. "and if it is right/straight in your eyes." This phrase demonstrates David's humility and wisdom. He sought not only agreement but an indication that the plan aligned with their perception of righteousness and wisdom. It signifies the need for the people's heart to be in sync with the king's vision, essential for genuine national participation. This echoes phrasing found in the Law for proper procedures.
• "and if it is of the LORD our God": (וְאִם יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, wĕ'im Yahweh 'Eloheinu). This is the pivotal condition. David recognized that human agreement alone was insufficient; divine authorization was paramount. He acknowledged the LORD (Yahweh, the covenant God, expressing His personal relationship with Israel) as "our God" (Eloheinu, signifying His might and sovereignty). This phrase sets a vital theological boundary: the nation's spiritual endeavors must originate from and be approved by God, not merely human good intentions.
• "let us send abroad": (נִפְרֹץ, nifrotz), derived from a root meaning "to break through," "to break forth," or "to spread out." This verb implies an energetic, expansive, and urgent initiative, breaking barriers to reach every part of the nation. It was not to be a timid or confined message but a widespread outreach.
• "to our brothers in all the lands of Israel": Emphasizes the call for national unity across all tribes and regions. The initiative was inclusive, reaching every corner of Israel, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and participation in this central religious act. "Brothers" reinforces the bond of kinship.
• "and with them to the priests and Levites": Specific inclusion of the religious leadership, demonstrating David’s recognition of their divinely appointed roles. Priests (kohanim) and Levites (levi'im) were hereditary castes responsible for sacred duties, particularly concerning the Ark. This highlights David's awareness (or growing awareness) of the legal requirements for handling the Ark, as defined in Mosaic law.
• "in their cities and their common lands": Refers to the Levitical cities, strategically located throughout all tribal territories, facilitating widespread communication and access. These cities were assigned to the Levites, who had no territorial inheritance like the other tribes (Num 35:1-8, Josh 21). This also indicates a thorough and systematic approach to the outreach.
• "that they may gather together to us": The ultimate purpose of this extensive summoning: to convene the entire nation around this shared sacred objective. It aimed to consolidate spiritual fervor and unite the people under God's banner, signified by the Ark's relocation.

1 Chronicles 13 2 Bonus section

The chronicler's account in 1 Chronicles, compared to its parallel in 2 Samuel 6, places a stronger emphasis on the Levites and their role, preparing the reader for David's later realization of the importance of adhering to specific divine instructions for handling the Ark (1 Chron 15:2). While 2 Samuel highlights the king and the general populace, Chronicles meticulously includes the "priests and Levites," foretelling David's increasing attention to the proper order of worship. This verse, therefore, represents not just a strategic political move, but David's deep, albeit still developing, understanding of Israel's theocratic identity and the centrality of the Ark as the symbol of God's dwelling amongst His people. It also demonstrates the proper balance between royal initiative, communal participation, and divine ordination in governing a holy nation.

1 Chronicles 13 2 Commentary

David's proposal in 1 Chronicles 13:2 unveils a remarkable blend of kingly leadership, humility, and theological conviction. Instead of dictating, he invites the participation of "all the assembly of Israel," recognizing that such a profound national and spiritual undertaking requires communal buy-in. More profoundly, he preconditions the entire enterprise on divine approval, declaring, "if it is of the LORD our God." This underscores David's core identity as a king "after God's own heart" (1 Sam 13:14), prioritising God's will above his own ambition or human wisdom. His strategy to "send abroad" to all the tribes, particularly including priests and Levites, was sound, aiming for broad unity and proper observance of protocol, given the specific Levitical instructions for the Ark's transport. This verse sets the stage for a renewal of proper worship in Israel, although it also implicitly hints at the learning curve regarding meticulous adherence to divine law, which will become starkly evident in the very next verse's tragic events with Uzzah.

• Practical Examples:
  • A church leader seeking consensus from the congregation for a major outreach project, after praying for God's clear leading.
  • A family making a significant life decision, openly discussing it and jointly seeking divine guidance through prayer and scripture.