King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 13:6 Mean?

“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.”

Context

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

And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. singing: Heb. songs

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) From this point our narrative coincides with that of 2Samuel 6:2-11. The original text was plainly the same, whether the chronicler drew directly from the Book of Samuel, or from another source. Such differences as appear consist of abridgments, paraphrases, and corrections. **All Israel.**—Samuel, “All the people that were with him.” **To Baalah.**—Joshua 15:60, “Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim.” “Baaľs town” was doubtless the original name. “Town of woods” describes the position of the place. Our text appears more correct than that of Samuel, which has, “And David rose and went, and all the people that were with him, from BaalêJudah.” The Targum, LXX., and Syriac, translate that which the Authorised Version gives as a proper name, “The people that were with him of the cities lords men of Judah.” If this be right, perhaps “Baalah” has fallen out of the text of Samuel owing to its resemblance to the word *baalê*. lords. Kirjath־jearim is the modern ‘Erma, four miles east of *Ain Shems* (Bethshemesh).—*Palestine Exploration Fund Quarterly Statement, October,* 1881. **The Lord, that dwelleth between the cherubims.**—Rather, *Jehovah, who sitteth upon the cherubim* (comp. Psalm 16:11; Psalm 80:2; Isaiah 37:16). **Whose name is called on it.**—The Hebrew is, “who (or which) is called Name.” The Israelites in later days avoided all mention of the Divine name of *Jehovah*, and substituted *hashshēm* “the Name” (comp. Leviticus 24:16, and the Third Commandment). A comparison with 2Samuel 6:2, however, suggests that a word meaning “upon it” (*‘ālâw*), has fallen out. In that case the literal rendering will be, *upon which* (i.e., the Ark) *the Name* (of Jehovah) *is called=* which is called by the name (of Jehovah). The Ark was often called “the Ark of Jehovah” (1Chronicles 15:3). The Hebrew and Targum of Samuel favour this. Some MSS. of Chron. read “there” (*shām*) instead of “name” (*shēm*). This, gives the meaning, *who is invoked there* (at the Ark). Comp. the LXX. οὗ ἐπεκλήθη ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.

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 13:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.