---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  1 Chronicles 13"
description: "CHAPTER 13   :-. DAVID FETCHES
THE ARK FROM
KIRJATH-JEARIM. 1-3. David consulted . . . And let
us bring again the ark of our God—Gratitude for the high an"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/1-chronicles/13"
---

CHAPTER 13

. DAVID FETCHES
THE ARK FROM
KIRJATH-JEARIM.

**1-3. David consulted . . . And let
us bring again the ark of our God**—Gratitude for the high and
splendid dignity to which he had been elevated would naturally, at
this period, impart a fresh animation and impulse to the habitually
fervent piety of David; but, at the same time, he was animated by
other motives. He fully understood his position as ruler under the
theocracy, and, entering on his duties, he was resolved to fulfil his
mission as a constitutional king of Israel. Accordingly, his first
act as a sovereign related to the interests of religion. The ark
being then the grand instrument and ornament of it, he takes the
opportunity of the official representatives of the nation being with
him, to consult them about the propriety of establishing it in a more
public and accessible locality. The assembly at which he spoke of
this consisted of the Sheloshim, princes of thousands (). During the reign of the late king, the ark had been left in
culpable neglect. Consequently the people had, to a great extent,
been careless about the ordinances of divine worship, or had
contented themselves with offering sacrifices at Gibeon, without any
thought of the ark, though it was the chief and most vital part of
the tabernacle. The duty and advantages of this religious movement
suggested by the king were apparent, and the proposal met with
universal approval.

**2. If it seem good unto you, and . .
. it be of the Lord**—that is, I shall conclude that this
favorite measure of mine is agreeable to the mind of God, if it
receive your hearty concurrence.
**let us send abroad to our
brethren everywhere**—He wished to make it known throughout the
country, in order that there might be a general assembly of the
nation, and that preparations might be made on a scale and of a kind
suitable to the inauguration of the august ceremonial.
**with them also to the priests
and Levites . . . in their cities and suburbs**—(See on ). The original terms, "Let us send," imply
immediate execution; and, doubtless, the publication of the royal
edict would have been followed by the appointment of an early day for
the contemplated solemnity, had it not been retarded by a sudden
invasion of the Philistines, who were twice repulsed with great loss
([2 Samuel 5:17](../../../kjv/2-samuel/5/17)), by the capture of
Jerusalem, and the transference of the seat of government to that
city. Finding, however, soon after, peace restored and his throne
established, he resumed his preparations for removing the ark to the
metropolis.

**1-3. David consulted . . . And let
us bring again the ark of our God**—Gratitude for the high and
splendid dignity to which he had been elevated would naturally, at
this period, impart a fresh animation and impulse to the habitually
fervent piety of David; but, at the same time, he was animated by
other motives. He fully understood his position as ruler under the
theocracy, and, entering on his duties, he was resolved to fulfil his
mission as a constitutional king of Israel. Accordingly, his first
act as a sovereign related to the interests of religion. The ark
being then the grand instrument and ornament of it, he takes the
opportunity of the official representatives of the nation being with
him, to consult them about the propriety of establishing it in a more
public and accessible locality. The assembly at which he spoke of
this consisted of the Sheloshim, princes of thousands (). During the reign of the late king, the ark had been left in
culpable neglect. Consequently the people had, to a great extent,
been careless about the ordinances of divine worship, or had
contented themselves with offering sacrifices at Gibeon, without any
thought of the ark, though it was the chief and most vital part of
the tabernacle. The duty and advantages of this religious movement
suggested by the king were apparent, and the proposal met with
universal approval.

**5. from Shihor of Egypt**—
([Joshua 15:4](../../../kjv/joshua/15/4); [Joshua 15:47](../../../kjv/joshua/15/47);
[Numbers 34:5](../../../kjv/numbers/34/5); [1 Kings 8:65](../../../kjv/1-kings/8/65);
[2 Kings 24:7](../../../kjv/2-kings/24/7); [2 Chronicles 7:8](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/7/8));
a small brook flowing into the Mediterranean, near the modern
El-arish, which forms the southern boundary of Palestine.
**unto the entering of
Hemath**—the defile between the mountain ranges of Syria and the
extreme limit of Palestine on the north.

**6-14. David went up, and all srael,
to Baalah**—(See on ).
**whose name is called on
it**—rather, "who is worshipped there" ().

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