Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David directs the assembled nation of Israel to journey to Baalah of Judah to retrieve the ark. The narrative captures the immediate mobilization of the people following his initial summons.
The words — The verb וַיַּעַל (va.ya'al) literally means "and he went up," denoting the physical ascent to the hill location. The place name בַּעֲלָתָה (ba'alatah) is explicitly equated with Kiriath-jearim in the text.
The thread — The gathering of Israel to retrieve the ark parallels the parallel account in 2 Samuel 6:2. The description of God enthroned between cherubim echoes the divine meeting place prescribed in Exodus 25:22.
Why it lands — The text establishes a clear geographic and theological anchor for the ark's relocation. Readers must recognize that the ark's movement is tied to a specific location and a defined divine 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 David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath–jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the Lord, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it.
Cross-references
- Exodus 25:22 And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.
- Joshua 15:9 From the hilltop the border curved to the spring of the Waters of Nephtoah, proceeded to the cities of Mount Ephron, and then bent around toward Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim).
- 2 Samuel 6:2 And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.
- 2 Kings 19:15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.
- Joshua 15:60 Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), and Rabbah—two cities, along with their villages.
- 1 Samuel 4:4 So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
- Exodus 20:24 You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.
- Exodus 23:21 Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him.
- Numbers 6:27 So they shall put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
- Numbers 7:89 When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.