1 Chronicles Chapter 13
Showing all 14 verses for 1 Chronicles Chapter 13.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. "
"David talked things over with his military commanders — leaders of thousands and of hundreds — and with every other leader in Israel."
I don't ask you to follow blindly. Bring people into decisions that affect them, especially the ones that matter most — good leadership listens before it acts.
"And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us: "
"David told the whole assembled community: "If this seems right to you, and if it's what God wants, let's send word to every Israelite family scattered across the land, and also to the priests and Levites in their towns, and ask them to come and join us.""
Even the most important things in life go better when people choose them together rather than have them imposed. I invite, I don't force — genuine devotion can't be commanded into existence.
"And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. "
""Let's bring the Ark of our God back to be with us — because we neglected it during Saul's reign.""
Look honestly at what you've let slide in your own life — the things that matter but that busyness or distraction have pushed to the margins — and take deliberate steps to bring them back to the centre.
"And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. "
"The whole gathered community agreed to do it, because everyone felt it was the right thing."
Good intentions and popular agreement are a fine starting point, but they aren't the whole job — I care as much about how you carry something out as about wanting the right thing.
"So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim. "
"David called together all Israel — from the border of Egypt in the south to the entrance of Hamath in the north — to bring the Ark up from Kirjath-jearim."
Some things are worth rallying everyone around — the moments that shape who a community is deserve full, wholehearted participation, not a quiet, half-hearted gesture.
"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. "
"David and all Israel travelled to Baalah (also called Kirjath-jearim), in the territory of Judah, to bring up the Ark of God the LORD — the one enthroned between the cherubim, bearing his name."
What you treat as central in your life shapes everything else around it. Consider what sits at the true centre of your attention and devotion, and whether it deserves to be there.
"And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. "
"They carried the Ark on a brand-new cart, out of Abinadab's house, with Uzza and Ahio driving it."
Sincerity and enthusiasm aren't a substitute for actually doing things the right way. I want your heart in the right place, but I also want you willing to learn the right way of doing what matters, not just the way that feels easiest.
"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. "
"David and all Israel celebrated in front of God with everything they had — singing, and playing harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets."
Joy that comes from a full heart is never something to be embarrassed about. Celebrate the good in your life openly and wholeheartedly, not held in out of self-consciousness.
"And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. "
"When they reached the threshing floor of Chidon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzza reached out his hand to steady the Ark."
Sometimes trouble comes not from bad intentions but from cutting corners earlier that you don't even notice until the crisis hits. Pay attention to the foundations you're building on, not just your reactions in the moment.
"And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. "
"God's anger burned against Uzza, and he struck him down because he had touched the Ark — Uzza died right there before God."
I don't ask you to treat what's sacred casually, even with the best of intentions. Care about doing things properly, especially for what matters most — not because rules are more important than people, but because respect for what's holy protects everyone, including the people carrying it.
"And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day. "
"David was upset because God had broken out against Uzza, and that place has been called Perez-uzza ("the breaking out against Uzza") ever since."
It's honest, not weak, to admit when you're upset or shaken by something that's happened, even when you don't fully understand it. I don't ask you to fake composure — bring your real feelings, including anger and confusion, into the open.
"And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me? "
"That day David became afraid of God, and said, "How can I possibly bring the Ark of God home to myself?""
When something goes wrong, the wise response isn't to charge ahead in denial — it's to pause, feel the weight of it honestly, and ask what needs to change before you try again. I'd rather you stop and reconsider than repeat a mistake out of pride.
"So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. "
"So David didn't bring the Ark all the way home to the City of David — instead he diverted it to the house of Obed-edom, a man from Gath."
It's not failure to change course when you realise you're not ready or you got something wrong. I honour the wisdom to stop, regroup, and wait rather than stubbornly pushing on to avoid looking foolish.
"And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had. "
"The Ark stayed with Obed-edom's family in his house for three months, and God blessed Obed-edom's household and everything he owned."
What seems threatening because of how it was mishandled once can become a genuine blessing when approached with proper respect and care. Don't let one failure convince you something good is actually dangerous — look at how it's being handled.