Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 13:5
So David assembled all Israel, from the River Shihor in Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative reports David’s action immediately following the assembly’s agreement in the preceding verse. He mobilizes the entire population to relocate the ark from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem.
The words — The verb וַ/יַּקְהֵ֤ל (va/yakhel) denotes a formal calling together or gathering, while כָּל (kol) emphasizes the totality of the group being mobilized.
The thread — This geographic boundary phrase reappears in 1 Kings 8:65 during Solomon’s dedication. The ark’s relocation is also recorded in 2 Samuel 6:1 and 1 Samuel 6:21, though each account varies in scope and detail.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of centralized worship as a national priority. It requires the reader to note how leadership translates collective agreement into coordinated movement.
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
So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath–jearim.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 6:21 So they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath-jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the LORD. Come down and take it up with you.”
- 2 Samuel 6:1 David again assembled the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand in all.
- 1 Kings 8:65 So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all.
- 1 Chronicles 15:3 And David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.
- Numbers 34:5 where it will turn from Azmon, join the Brook of Egypt, and end at the Sea.
- Joshua 13:3 from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites;
- 1 Kings 4:21 And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
- 2 Kings 25:21 There at Riblah in the land of Hamath, the king of Babylon struck them down and put them to death. So Judah was taken into exile, away from its own land.
- 1 Chronicles 13:6 David and all Israel went up to Baalah of Judah (that is, Kiriath-jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name.
- Jeremiah 2:18 Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?