1 Chronicles 13:12
New International Version
David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”

New Living Translation
David was now afraid of God, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of God back into my care?”

English Standard Version
And David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”

Berean Standard Bible
That day David feared God and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”

King James Bible
And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

New King James Version
David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God to me?”

New American Standard Bible
David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”

NASB 1995
David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”

NASB 1977
And David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”

Legacy Standard Bible
So David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God back to me?”

Amplified Bible
David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home with me?”

Christian Standard Bible
David feared God that day and said, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David feared God that day and said, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”

American Standard Version
And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

Contemporary English Version
David was afraid what the LORD might do to him, and he asked himself, "Should I really be the one to take care of the sacred chest?"

English Revised Version
And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David was afraid of God that day. "How can I bring God's ark to my [city]?" he asked.

Good News Translation
Then David was afraid of God and said, "How can I take the Covenant Box with me now?"

International Standard Version
But David feared God that day, and asked "How am I to bring the Ark of God to me?"

Majority Standard Bible
That day David feared God and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”

NET Bible
David was afraid of God that day and said, "How will I ever be able to bring the ark of God up here?"

New Heart English Bible
David was afraid of God that day, saying, "How can I bring the ark of God to me?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

World English Bible
David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring God’s ark home to me?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David fears God on that day, saying, “How do I bring the Ark of God to me?”

Young's Literal Translation
And David feareth God on that day, saying, 'How do I bring in unto me the ark of God?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will fear God in that day, saying, How shall I bring to me the ark of God?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he feared God at that time, saying: How can I bring in the ark of God to me?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And then he feared God, at that time, saying: “How will I be able to bring in the ark of God to myself?”

New American Bible
David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring in the ark of God to me?”

New Revised Standard Version
David was afraid of God that day; he said, “How can I bring the ark of God into my care?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David was afraid of the LORD that day, saying. How can I bring the ark of God home to me?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David was afraid of LORD JEHOVAH on that day, and he said: “How will I bring the ark of LORD JEHOVAH with me?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David was afraid of God that day, saying: 'How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David feared God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God in to myself?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Uzzah Touches the Ark
11Then David became angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah; so he named that place Perez-uzzah, as it is called to this day. 12That day David feared God and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” 13So he did not move the ark with him to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 6:9
That day David feared the LORD and asked, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?”

Numbers 4:15
When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.

1 Samuel 6:20
The men of Beth-shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom should the ark go up from here?”

Exodus 25:14-15
Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, in order to carry it. / The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed.

1 Chronicles 15:13
It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.”

1 Chronicles 15:2
Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”

1 Kings 8:11
so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

Leviticus 10:1-3
Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. / So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. / Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent.

2 Chronicles 5:14
so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

2 Samuel 6:7
And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.

1 Chronicles 15:25-28
So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom. / And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. / Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. ...

1 Chronicles 16:1
So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.

1 Chronicles 15:11-15
David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. / And he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. / It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.” ...

1 Chronicles 15:29
As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.

1 Chronicles 16:7
On that day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:


Treasury of Scripture

And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

afraid of God

Numbers 17:12,13
And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish…

1 Samuel 5:10,11
Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people…

1 Samuel 6:20
And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?

How

1 Kings 8:27
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

Job 25:5,6
Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight…

Matthew 25:24
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

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Afraid Ark David David's Fear Feareth Great Home
1 Chronicles 13
1. David fetches the ark with great solemnity from Kirjath Jearim
9. Uzza being smitten, the ark is left at the house of Obed-Edom














That day
This phrase marks a specific moment in time, emphasizing the immediacy and significance of the events that transpired. In the context of 1 Chronicles 13, this day was pivotal for David and the Israelites. It was a day of both celebration and tragedy, as the attempt to transport the Ark of the Covenant resulted in the death of Uzzah. The historical context underscores the importance of reverence and obedience to God's instructions, as the Ark represented God's holy presence among His people.

David feared God
The Hebrew root for "feared" is "yare," which can mean to be afraid, to stand in awe, or to have reverence. In this context, David's fear was not merely terror but a profound respect and recognition of God's holiness and power. This fear was a turning point for David, reminding him of the necessity to approach God with the utmost reverence and adherence to His commands. It reflects a conservative Christian perspective that emphasizes the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

and asked
David's inquiry signifies a moment of introspection and humility. The act of asking indicates a desire for understanding and guidance. In the biblical narrative, asking questions of God or seeking His will is a recurring theme, demonstrating a relationship with God that is dynamic and communicative. This phrase encourages believers to seek God's wisdom and direction in times of uncertainty or failure.

How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?
This question reveals David's deep concern and desire to have the Ark, the symbol of God's presence, near him. The Ark of the Covenant was central to Israel's worship and identity, containing the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and manna. David's question reflects a longing for God's presence and blessing, yet also acknowledges the need to approach God in the right manner. Historically, the Ark had been neglected during Saul's reign, and David's intent to bring it to Jerusalem was part of his effort to restore proper worship. This phrase challenges believers to consider how they approach God, emphasizing the need for holiness and obedience in drawing near to Him.

(12) God . . . ark of God.--Here and in 1Chronicles 13:8; 1Chronicles 13:14, &c. Samuel has Jehovah. The chronicler or his authority has avoided the frequent use of that most holy Name.

Saying.--Samuel, "and said."

How.--Hek, an Aramaic form, perhaps due to a transcriber rather than to the author.

Shall I bring.--Samuel, "shall come." Two different voices of the same verb.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
That
הַה֖וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day
בַּיּ֥וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

David
דָוִיד֙ (ḏā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

feared
וַיִּירָ֤א (way·yî·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

God
הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and asked,
לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“How
הֵ֚יךְ (hêḵ)
Interrogative
Strong's 1963: How?

can I ever bring
אָבִ֣יא (’ā·ḇî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the ark
אֲר֥וֹן (’ă·rō·wn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

of God
הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

to me?”
אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 13:12 David was afraid of God that day (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 13:11
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