So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.

1 CHRONICLES 13:5KJV
Know the Bible

1 Chronicles 13:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 13:5 mean?

1 Chronicles 13:5 describes how King David gathered all the people of Israel from the farthest southern border near Egypt (Shihor) to the northern entrance of Hemath, so they could bring the ark of God from the town of Kirjathjearim. This verse shows the nationwide effort and importance David placed on returning the ark to a central place in Israel’s life.

David is the main figure here, acting as king and leader, calling together representatives from every part of Israel. The ark of God, which symbolized God’s presence, had been kept in Kirjathjearim for many years. By gathering people from such distant places, the verse emphasizes both the unity of Israel under David and the significance of moving the ark.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 13:5

  • שִׁיחוֹר (Shihor, shichor): This word refers to a border area near Egypt, often thought to be a river or stream marking the southern edge of Israel’s territory. Mentioning Shihor highlights how David’s call reached even the farthest southern regions.
  • חֲמָת (Hemath, chamath): Hemath was a city or region at the northern boundary of ancient Israel. Including Hemath shows that David’s gathering included the entire land, from south to north.
  • אָרוֹן (ark, aron): This word means “chest” or “ark” and refers to the ark of God, a sacred object representing God’s covenant and presence. Its movement was a major national event.
  • קִרְיַת יְעָרִים (Kirjathjearim, qiryath ye'arim): This town’s name means “city of forests.” It was the location where the ark had been kept, so mentioning it pinpoints the starting place of the ark’s journey.

Why 1 Chronicles 13:5 matters

  • The verse shows the unity and scale of David’s leadership, as he mobilized all Israel for a spiritual purpose, not just a political or military one.
  • By naming the farthest borders, the verse stresses that the whole nation was involved, not just a small group or local tribe.
  • This moment sets up the importance of the ark’s return in the chapters that follow, showing David’s desire to center Israel’s worship and national identity around God’s presence.

Where else these words appear

“Shihor” Hebrew H7883 · used in 4 verses

  • Joshua 13:3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
  • Isaiah 23:3 And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.
  • Jeremiah 2:18 And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?

“Kirjathjearim” Hebrew H7157 · used in 19 verses

  • Joshua 9:17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.
  • Judges 18:12 And they went up, and pitched in Kirjathjearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahanehdan unto this day: behold, it is behind Kirjathjearim.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:53 And the families of Kirjathjearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites, and the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; of them came the Zareathites, and the Eshtaulites.

“Hemath” Hebrew H2574 · used in 35 verses

  • Numbers 13:21 So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
  • 2 Kings 19:13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?
  • Isaiah 37:13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?

“gathered” Hebrew H6950 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
  • Numbers 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
  • 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.