David Proposes to Bring the Ark to Jerusalem

131 Then David consulted with the captains of the thousands and the hundreds , even with every leader . 2 David said to all the assembly of Israel , "If it seems good to you, and if it is from the Lord our God , let us send everywhere to our kinsmen who remain in all the land of Israel , also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their cities with pasture lands , that they may meet with us; 3 and let us bring back the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul ." 4 Then all the assembly said that they would do so , for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people .

David Goes to Get the Ark

5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath , to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 13:1-5

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 13:1-5

(Read 1 Chronicles 13:1-5)

David said not, What magnificent thing shall I do now? or, What pleasant thing? but, What pious thing? that he might have the comfort and benefit of that sacred oracle. Let us bring the ark to us, that it may be a blessing to us. Those who honour God, profit themselves. It is the wisdom of those setting out in the world, to take God's ark with them. Those are likely to go on in the favour of God, who begin in the fear of God.