1 Chronicles 13:12

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּירָ֤א
was afraid
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#2
דָוִיד֙
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
of God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#5
בַּיּ֥וֹם
that day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#6
הַה֖וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#7
לֵאמֹ֑ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
הֵ֚יךְ
How
how?
#9
אָבִ֣יא
shall I bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
אֵלַ֔י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
אֵ֖ת
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#12
אֲר֥וֹן
the ark
a box
#13
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
of God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection