Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Also, let us again bring the ark of our God back to us; for we didn’t seek it in the days of Saul.”
- KJV And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.
- 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.”
- NASB and let us bring back the ark of our God to us, since we did not seek it in the days of Saul.”
- NLT It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David called for bringing back the ark, neglected during Saul's reign. Restoring the ark signaled a renewed national focus on God's presence.
Overview
David's central aim was to recover the ark of God, which had been ignored 'in the days of Saul.' The ark symbolized God's throne and presence among His people, so its neglect mirrored Saul's spiritual decline. David's desire to seek it again expresses his heart for worship and God's nearness, a priority that defines his reign and points to the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 1 Sam 7:1–2Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the LORD and took it into Abinadab’s house on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of the LORD.
- 1 Sam 23:2So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
- 1 Sam 14:36And Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until dawn, leaving no man alive!” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied. But the priest said, “We must consult God here.”
- 1 Sam 14:18Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)
- 1 Sam 23:9–12When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”
- Ps 132:6We heard that the ark was in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar.
- 1 Sam 22:15Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of my father’s household, for your servant knew nothing of this whole affair—not in part or in whole.”
- 1 Sam 22:10Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
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Christ at the center
The genealogies and the everlasting covenant with David trace the single thread of promise running through the generations straight to the Christ in whom the line reaches its goal.
How 1 Chronicles 13:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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