And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it 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.”
- BSB Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him 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 7:1–2And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
- 1 Sam 23:2Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
- 1 Sam 14:36And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
- 1 Sam 14:18And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
- 1 Sam 23:9–12And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
- Ps 132:6Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
- 1 Sam 22:15Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
- 1 Sam 22:10And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and 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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