1 Chronicles 13 5

1 Chronicles 13:5 kjv

So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.

1 Chronicles 13:5 nkjv

So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor in Egypt to as far as the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath Jearim.

1 Chronicles 13:5 niv

So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.

1 Chronicles 13:5 esv

So David assembled all Israel from the Nile of Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.

1 Chronicles 13:5 nlt

So David summoned all Israel, from the Shihor Brook of Egypt in the south all the way to the town of Lebo-hamath in the north, to join in bringing the Ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.

1 Chronicles 13 verses

1 Chronicles 13 5 Meaning

1 Chronicles 13:5 details King David's pivotal spiritual and political initiative to unify Israel. Having secured his kingdom, David's immediate focus turned to restoring the centrality of God's presence in the nation. This verse describes a vast national assembly, encompassing all twelve tribes, gathered from the southern extremity of Israel's tribal settlements, near Egypt, to its ideal northern border, at Hamath. Their unified purpose was to bring the sacred Ark of God, which symbolized God's covenant and presence, from its prolonged dwelling place in Kiriath-jearim, aiming to re-establish it within the newly established capital, Jerusalem. This act signified David's desire to place God at the very heart of his kingdom and nation, consolidating spiritual and political authority.

1 Chronicles 13 5 Context

1 Chronicles 13:5 falls immediately after David's anointing as king over all Israel in Hebron (1 Chr 11) and his subsequent capture of Jerusalem, making it his capital (1 Chr 11). Chapter 12 details the mighty men who joined David, emphasizing the broad support and unity he garnered. The immediate context of chapter 13 shows David’s initiative following this political consolidation: he seeks to bring the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, into his new capital. David, unlike King Saul, prioritizes the spiritual health of the nation, consulting with the national leadership (v. 1-4) before summoning all Israel for this crucial task. The Ark had been neglected at Kiriath-jearim for decades since its return from Philistine capture, and David understood that truly unifying Israel meant bringing God to its very heart. This sets the stage for the tragic event of Uzzah’s death (1 Chr 13:9-11), which temporarily halts the transfer, but ultimately underscores the importance of properly handling sacred things according to God’s commands, a major theme for the Chronicler.

1 Chronicles 13 5 Word analysis

• So David assembled: David's active, intentional leadership is highlighted. The Hebrew verb for "assembled" (קָהַל, qahal) implies a deliberate calling together, forming an assembly or congregation, often with a formal, religious purpose. This indicates a purposeful national mobilization directed by the king, setting a spiritual priority for his reign.
• all Israel: This phrase emphasizes complete national unity and representation, including all twelve tribes. It reflects a collective, undivided effort under David’s newly established kingship, signifying loyalty and shared purpose in honoring God, contrasting with previous disunity.
• from Shivhor of Egypt: "Shivhor of Egypt" (שִׁיחוֹר מִצְרַיִם, Shiḥor Miṣrayim) refers to a watercourse or brook marking the southwestern border of Israel's tribal land, likely the Wadi el-Arish or an arm of the Nile. It represents the extreme southern extent of David’s gathered kingdom. This demonstrates the wide reach of David’s authority and the comprehensive nature of the assembly.
• even to the entrance of Hamath: "The entrance of Hamath" (לְבֹא חֲמָת, Lěḇôʾ Ḥămāt) denotes the ideal northern boundary of the land promised to Israel, far north into what is modern-day Syria. Hamath was a prominent city. This phrase marks the absolute northern limit of David's realm, alongside Shivhor, portraying a national assembly stretching across the entire geographical breadth of the promised land.
• to bring the ark of God: This is the explicit purpose of the assembly. The "ark of God" (אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים, ărôn hāʾělōhîm) refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the holiest object in Israel, signifying God’s presence, His covenant, and His throne (Exo 25:10-22). David's intention to restore it to a central place signifies his spiritual devotion and the desire for God's presence to be paramount in his kingdom.
• from Kiriath-jearim: This location (קִרְיַת יְעָרִים, Qiryat Yĕʿārîm, meaning "city of forests") was where the Ark had remained for decades in the house of Abinadab (1 Sam 7:1-2), essentially out of mainstream worship since its return from Philistine capture. Bringing it from here symbolized the end of a period of neglect and the re-establishment of formal, national worship around the Ark.

Words-group analysis:

• "David assembled all Israel, from Shivhor of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath": This comprehensive gathering underscores David's unifying leadership and the widespread participation across the entirety of the Israelite territory, signaling national commitment to a sacred enterprise. It highlights the vast scope of the Davidic kingdom and its people’s willingness to respond to his spiritual call.
• "to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim": This phrase reveals the spiritual heart of David's agenda. His priority was not merely political consolidation but bringing God's central presence back into the public life and capital of the nation. It reflects a shift from a period of neglect (under Saul) to one of fervent worship and intentional seeking of God's favor.

1 Chronicles 13 5 Bonus section

The account in Chronicles emphasizes the scale and unified nature of the assembly for bringing the Ark even more so than its parallel in 2 Samuel 6. The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic audience, would have found this portrayal of widespread, unified devotion to God, and specifically the Ark (a forerunner to the Temple), particularly significant as a model for restoration and correct worship. The meticulous detailing of the geographical scope—"from Shivhor of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath"—might echo the ideal boundaries of the Promised Land, as frequently described in covenant passages (e.g., Gen 15:18), indicating a desire not just for physical presence but for living within the fullness of God's promises and dominion. This assembly represented a national dedication, placing David squarely in the line of faithful leaders who sought to orient Israel correctly towards the Lord.

1 Chronicles 13 5 Commentary

1 Chronicles 13:5 portrays David's profound commitment to integrating God's presence into the fabric of his new kingdom. Having successfully united the disparate tribes politically, David recognized that true national cohesion and blessing required centering the nation around the Ark, the visible symbol of God’s covenant with Israel. This massive undertaking, involving representatives from the full breadth of the land, demonstrates a proactive desire to rectify past neglect and align the kingdom's priorities with divine authority. It reflects David's heart for God and sets the stage for his subsequent efforts in planning for the Temple, showing him as a king who understood that human flourishing stemmed from divine dwelling. The assembly itself was a powerful act of corporate worship, signaling a national renewal, though its execution would initially falter, teaching crucial lessons about God's holy requirements.