1 Chronicles 13 3

1 Chronicles 13:3 kjv

And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we inquired not at it in the days of Saul.

1 Chronicles 13:3 nkjv

and let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul."

1 Chronicles 13:3 niv

Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul."

1 Chronicles 13:3 esv

Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul."

1 Chronicles 13:3 nlt

It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul."

1 Chronicles 13 verses

1 Chronicles 13 3 Meaning

1 Chronicles 13:3 describes King David's declaration to the assembly of Israel regarding the Ark of God. It signifies a profound desire to re-establish the Ark's central role in national life, recognizing that during Saul's reign, the nation had neglected to inquire of the Lord through His sacred presence. This act of "bringing again" the Ark was not merely a physical relocation but a spiritual initiative to restore the covenant relationship between God and His people, positioning His guidance and presence at the heart of their governance and worship after a period of spiritual apathy.

1 Chronicles 13 3 Context

1 Chronicles 13:3 occurs at a pivotal moment in David's reign, shortly after he has been made king over all Israel and established Jerusalem as his capital. This verse sets forth David's primary national priority: to restore God's rightful place at the center of Israel's spiritual and national life. Historically, the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's active presence and His covenant with Israel, had been neglected for decades. After its capture by the Philistines (1 Sam 4), it had returned but resided obscurely in Kiriath-Jearim (1 Sam 7:1-2), never reaching a central sanctuary or being actively consulted during Saul's reign. This neglect signified a deep spiritual lethargy in the nation and particularly marked Saul's own detached approach to seeking divine counsel. David, recognizing this spiritual void, saw the relocation of the Ark as essential for national unity, divine favor, and re-establishing direct access to God's will, which he understood to be crucial for a thriving Israelite kingdom. The Chronicler, writing from a post-exilic perspective, highlights David's devoutness and emphasis on proper worship, often contrasting it implicitly with the failings of previous leadership and those who strayed from God's ordinances.

1 Chronicles 13 3 Word analysis

• and let us bring again: Hebrew: wenashuva (וְנָשִׁיבָה). This is a cohortative form of the Hipfil conjugation of the verb shuv (שׁוּב), meaning "to turn," "to return," or "to bring back." The use of "us" signifies a collective national responsibility and effort, initiated by David but embraced by the people's representatives. It indicates a deliberate act of restoration, a returning to what ought to be the proper state of affairs regarding God's presence.
• the ark: Hebrew: aron (אָרוֹן). This specifically refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred object in Israelite worship. It was God's designated dwelling place among His people, the seat of the Mercy Seat from which God communed with His chosen leader. Its very name evokes God's tangible presence, His law within (tablets), and the covenant relationship.
• of our God: Hebrew: 'eloheinu (אֱלֹהֵינוּ). Emphasizes the personal and covenantal relationship the people shared with Yahweh, their unique God. The possessive pronoun highlights that this God is theirs, signifying their special relationship and the need to honor Him above all. It differentiates Yahweh from the deities of surrounding nations, implicitly asserting His supremacy.
• to us: Implies not just bringing it geographically close, but integrating it back into their national life, counsels, and consciousness as the source of guidance and blessing.
• for we inquired not at it: Hebrew: ki lo darashnuhu (כִּי לֹא דְרַשְׁנֻהוּ). The particle ki introduces the reason or justification. The verb darash (דָּרַשׁ) means "to seek," "to consult," "to inquire," "to diligently search." It suggests an active, deliberate seeking of God's counsel and will, often through a prophet or priest consulting the Ark via Urim and Thummim. The phrase highlights a complete lack of such consultation.
• in the days of Saul: Refers to the preceding king's reign. This period was characterized by Saul's increasing spiritual alienation and God's silence. Saul consulted mediums (1 Sam 28:6-7) rather than truly inquiring of the Lord through proper means, leading to his rejection as king and national spiritual decline. This explicitly contrasts Saul's negligence with David's zeal.

Words-group analysis

• "and let us bring again the ark of our God to us": This phrase captures David's primary objective: to restore God's centrality and presence among His people. It's a statement of national religious renewal and highlights David's heart for God, seeking to rectify past neglect. It shows a communal, consensual effort, vital for establishing the kingdom on a divine foundation.
• "for we inquired not at it in the days of Saul": This provides the crucial justification and confession. It points to the spiritual failing of Saul's reign, where the source of divine counsel was effectively ignored. The Ark's neglect symbolizes the broader disarray in the covenant relationship, absence of divine direction, and spiritual wandering that marked that era, laying the groundwork for Saul's ultimate downfall and demonstrating the urgent need for change.

1 Chronicles 13 3 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's emphasis on "inquiring of God" throughout his narrative (e.g., David consistently inquires of God before battle, in contrast to Saul) is a major theological theme, highlighting that success and divine favor are contingent on seeking and obeying God's will.
• This verse foreshadows not only the Ark's move but also David's intention to build a house for the Lord (1 Chr 17), solidifying Jerusalem as the religious capital and the central place of worship, where God's presence would continually be accessible.
• The "neglect" during Saul's time extended beyond just the Ark; it also implied a weakening of the priestly and Levitical roles assigned to care for sacred objects and facilitate communication with God according to the law. David's subsequent actions in 1 Chronicles 15-16 demonstrate a detailed revival of these proper procedures.

1 Chronicles 13 3 Commentary

1 Chronicles 13:3 represents a clarion call for spiritual restoration at the dawn of David's unified reign. David, with profound spiritual insight, recognized that the Ark's peripheral status during Saul's kingship symbolized a deeper national disengagement from God's direct guidance and presence. The Ark was not just a relic; it embodied the very essence of God's covenant with Israel and the means by which His will was made known. Saul's failure to "inquire at it" points to a kingship devoid of consistent divine consultation, leading to self-reliance and eventual ruin. David's resolve to "bring again" the Ark signals a foundational commitment to rebuild Israel as a God-centered nation, where seeking divine wisdom and actively pursuing God's presence are paramount. This move underscores that true national prosperity and leadership are intrinsically tied to diligent and obedient worship. The verse succinctly encapsulates a transfer of kingship from a man-centered approach to one dedicated to God's glory and direction, even if David's initial attempt to move the Ark lacked strict adherence to Levitical law (addressed later in 1 Chr 15).