1 Chronicles 13:4 kjv
And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
1 Chronicles 13:4 nkjv
Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
1 Chronicles 13:4 niv
The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.
1 Chronicles 13:4 esv
All the assembly agreed to do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
1 Chronicles 13:4 nlt
The whole assembly agreed to this, for the people could see it was the right thing to do.
1 Chronicles 13 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 13:1-3 | David consulted with the commanders... "Let us bring back the ark of our God..." | David's initial proposal and consultation. |
| 2 Sam 6:1-2 | David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel... to bring up the ark... | Parallel account in Samuel, emphasis on desire. |
| Ps 133:1 | Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! | Illustrates the value of communal agreement. |
| Acts 4:32 | Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul... | New Testament example of unity among believers. |
| Phil 2:2 | make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord... | Call for unity in the Christian community. |
| Deut 4:29 | But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him... | Seeking God, a central theme in bringing the Ark. |
| 2 Chr 15:2 | "The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you..." | Divine reciprocity to those who seek God. |
| Isa 55:6 | "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near." | Invitation to actively pursue God's presence. |
| Jer 29:13 | "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." | Emphasizes wholehearted seeking of God. |
| Matt 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." | Prioritizing God's will and reign. |
| Exod 25:10-22 | Instructions for building the Ark of the Covenant... | Defines the Ark as the symbol of God's presence. |
| Num 7:89 | ...the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat... | Ark as place of divine communication. |
| Josh 3:14-17 | The Ark leading Israel across the Jordan... | Ark's role in guiding God's people. |
| 1 Sam 4:3-11 | The Ark captured by the Philistines due to misuse... | Consequences of mishandling the Ark. |
| 1 Sam 7:1-2 | The Ark dwelling in Kirjath-jearim for twenty years... | Its neglected state prior to David. |
| 1 Chr 15:2 | Then David said, "No one is to carry the ark of God but the Levites..." | Later correction to how the Ark should be carried. |
| Deut 6:18 | "You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord..." | Highlights that God's sight is the ultimate standard for 'right'. |
| Prov 21:2 | Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts. | Warns that human perception of "right" may differ from God's. |
| Jer 17:9-10 | "The heart is deceitful... I, the Lord, search the heart..." | Human understanding of right can be flawed without divine input. |
| 1 Cor 2:14 | The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God... | The limitations of human perception without spiritual insight. |
| Acts 17:30 | The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent... | Implies human ignorance about divine requirements can be corrected. |
1 Chronicles 13 verses
1 Chronicles 13 4 Meaning
1 Chronicles 13:4 signifies the full and enthusiastic agreement of the entire Israelite leadership and the general populace with King David's proposal to bring the Ark of God back to Jerusalem. The verse emphasizes that this course of action was seen as proper and just in the estimation of everyone present, underscoring the unity and widespread popular support behind this pivotal religious and political undertaking.
1 Chronicles 13 4 Context
Chapter 13 of 1 Chronicles marks a pivotal moment in David's reign, occurring shortly after he is recognized as king over all Israel (1 Chr 12). Having consolidated political power, David's next priority is to establish Jerusalem as both the political and religious capital. This move centers around bringing the Ark of God, which symbolized God's presence and covenant with Israel, from its neglected dwelling at Kiriath-jearim, where it had been for some two decades since its return from the Philistines (1 Sam 7:1-2). David's intention to bring the Ark back reflects his deep desire to establish the true worship of the Lord at the heart of the kingdom. Verse 4 specifically highlights the collective enthusiasm and unity of the entire nation behind this sacred endeavor, viewing it as undeniably proper and good. This immediate widespread approval sets the stage for the dramatic and tragic events that follow (Uzzah's death), revealing that good intentions and popular agreement are not sufficient without strict adherence to God's precise commands regarding the handling of sacred things.
1 Chronicles 13 4 Word analysis
- And all the assembly (וְכָל הַקָּהָל - v’khol haqqahal): The term
קָהָל (qahal)refers to the entire congregation, encompassing all segments of Israel—from the commanders and chiefs mentioned in verse 1 to the general populace. This signifies not merely a few officials, but a truly representative and unanimous national consensus. Its inclusion emphasizes the unity and collective will. - agreed (וַיֹּאמְרוּ - vayyomru): Literally, "and they said." This conveys an active and vocal affirmation, indicating that the agreement was not passive but expressed openly. It shows their hearty assent to David's proposal.
- to do so (לַעֲשׂוֹת כֵּן - la'asot ken): "To do thus," or "to act in this manner." It directly refers to the action proposed in verse 3: "Let us bring again the ark of our God to us." This phrasing demonstrates their commitment to the implementation of the plan.
- for the thing (כִּי הַדָּבָר - ki hadavar):
דָּבָר (davar)can mean "word," "thing," "matter," or "affair." Here, it refers to the entire proposal and plan of bringing the Ark. Theכִּי (ki)(for) introduces the reason or justification for their agreement, framing their unanimous consent as based on the perceived rightness of the action. - was right (יָשָׁר - yashar): This significant Hebrew word means "straight," "upright," "correct," or "righteous." While often used positively, it's crucial to note that it can also refer to something being "right in one's own eyes" (e.g., Jdg 21:25), which the Bible sometimes portrays as a negative characteristic (doing what seems right without divine guidance). In this verse, it reflects human judgment and a popular, morally-approved decision. The perception of rightness by people is distinct from what is truly right in God's eyes (Deut 6:18, Prov 21:2), especially concerning adherence to His laws. The tragic events in verse 9 demonstrate that their perception of "right" did not align with God's specific commandments for moving the Ark.
- in the eyes of all the people (בְּעֵינֵי כָּל הָעָם - be'einey kol ha'am): This phrase emphasizes the perspective from which the action was judged "right." It highlights popular perception and common consent. The unanimity across the entire populace signals broad societal approval. While consensus can be good (Ps 133:1), this phrase, particularly in conjunction with
יָשָׁר (yashar), foreshadows a potential human-centric judgment that might overlook divine specifications, a common theme in the Chronicler's narrative, emphasizing proper worship.
1 Chronicles 13 4 Bonus section
The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic community, frequently emphasizes proper worship, the priesthood, and adherence to Mosaic Law. In 1 Chronicles 13:4, the emphasis on "all the assembly" and the unanimous "agreement" speaks to the importance of corporate unity in religious endeavors, a concept vital for the community rebuilding after the exile. The phrase "right in the eyes of all the people" might serve as a subtle warning: even when a spiritual initiative has broad support and seems entirely beneficial (like restoring the Ark), it must be undertaken strictly according to God's precise ordinances. The tragic outcome for Uzzah immediately after this unanimous declaration underscores that obedience, not just enthusiasm or human judgment, is paramount in dealing with sacred things and with God Himself. This nuance of "yashar" (right) in the human context versus God's immutable truth is a profound theological point woven throughout scripture.
1 Chronicles 13 4 Commentary
1 Chronicles 13:4 encapsulates the overwhelming popular support and perceived righteousness of David's initiative to restore the Ark of God to a central place in Israelite life. The verse highlights unity ("all the assembly") and explicit consent ("agreed to do so"), depicting a harmonious nation rallying behind a spiritually significant project. The statement that "the thing was right in the eyes of all the people" conveys their deep conviction in the goodness and necessity of the plan. However, this verse also implicitly introduces a tension: while the intention to honor God and bring His presence back was commendable and righteous from a human standpoint, the "rightness" of the action as perceived by people can sometimes fall short of divine mandates. The subsequent events, particularly Uzzah's death (1 Chr 13:9-10), starkly reveal that good intentions and widespread approval do not override specific divine instructions. God's holiness demands adherence to His revealed will, not just human expediency or what seems "right." This verse thus sets up the crucial lesson that zealous action for God, even with the best intentions, must align with God's precise commands and not merely with human perception or popularity.