1 Chronicles 13:3 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Let us bring again.Bring we round: transfer it from Kirjath-jearim to Jerusalem, as the throne was transferred (same verb) from Saul to David (1 Chronicles 10:14; 1 Chronicles 12:23).

The Ark of our God to us. — The Ark was at Kirjath-jearim, a city of Judah, David’s own tribe. But the ting wished to establish it as the centre of the national worship in his new capital and royal residence, Jerusalem.

For we enquired not at it. — Rather, we sought it not, that is, neglected it, cared nothing about it. The Ark had been left in the house of Abinadab at Kirjath-jearim, for twenty years, after the Philistines sent it back (1 Samuel 7:2). There may be a reference to Saul’s despairing neglect of consulting the Lord (1 Chronicles 10:13); and, perhaps, we should translate, “we sought Him not,” referring the suffix to God (comp. 1 Chronicles 15:13; Isaiah 9:12). There is no clear evidence that the Ark itself was ever used as an oracle (comp. Exodus 25:10-22; 1 Kings 8:9).

1 Chronicles 13:3

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