Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 13:3
Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses the entire assembly of Israel, proposing to retrieve the ark after a period of neglect during Saul’s reign.
The words — נָסֵ֛בָּה (na.se.bah) literally means “let us bring round” or return, while דְרַשְׁנֻ֖הוּ (de.rash.nu.hu) translates to “we sought” or inquired of Him.
The thread — The ark’s prior concealment appears in 1 Samuel 7:1, David’s established practice of inquiry is recorded in 1 Samuel 23:2, and Saul’s earlier directive regarding the ark is noted in 1 Samuel 14:18.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of past spiritual neglect and a concrete step to restore proper reverence for God’s presence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 7:1 Then 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 Samuel 23:2 So 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 Samuel 14:18 Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)
- 1 Samuel 14:36 And 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 Samuel 22:10 Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
- 1 Samuel 22:15 Was 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 Samuel 23:9 When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”
- Psalms 132:6 We heard that the ark was in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar.