King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 13:5 Mean?

“So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.”

Context

And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. bring: Heb. bring about

And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.

And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, 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.

And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. carried: Heb. made the ark to ride

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **So David gathered all Israel.**— *Assembled*; a different word in 1Chronicles 13:2. **Shihor of Egypt.**—The boundary between Egypt and Canaan is elsewhere called *Nahal Micrayim* (Authorısed Version, River of Egypt; Isaiah 27:12; 2Chronicles 7:8). It is the modern *Wady el* Arish. Joshua 13:3 also calls this winter torrent the Shihor (Blackwater); but, in Isaiah 23:3, Shihor means the Nile. **The entering of Hemath.**—*Hamath.*—This was the usual designation of the north boundary of Palestine, as the “torrent of Egypt” was that of the south (1Kings 8:65). Hamath was the seat of an ancient kingdom, independent of, but friendly to David. The prophet Amos (eighth century B.C. ) calls it Hamath Rabbah, Great Hamath (Amos 6:2). A revived interest attaches to Hamath in our day, owing to the discovery of five curious inscriptions at *Hâmah*, written in a peculiar hieroglyphic character, which has been pronounced to be Hittite, but still awaits decipherment.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 13:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.