· Translation: KJV

1 Chronicles 13:12David was afraid of God that day, saying, "How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?"

The setting

Kiryat Yearim, Israel, ~1000 BC. David has just watched Uzzah die instantly for touching the ark. The celebration has turned to horror...

The emotion here: shaken and questioning his ability to lead

The original word

yare' (יָרֵא) — reverential fear mixed with terror, not just respect but trembling

Why it matters

This was David's first major failure as king after defeating the Philistines

Read with care

What most readers miss in 1 Chronicles 13:12

David asked 'How shall I bring the ark TO ME' — he made it about himself, not God's glory

Common misconceptionPeople think David was being wise and cautious here, but he was actually being selfish — notice he asks how to bring the ark 'to me,' making himself the focus instead of God's instructions.

Bible Genome reading

1 Chronicles 13:12 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerDavid
EraUnited Kingdom
Primary emotionanxious
Literary typenarrative

Emotional genome

Comfort power30%
Quotability50%
Memorability60%
Crisis relevance80%
Standalone40%
Themes:fear of Godquestioningreverence

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open 1 Chronicles 13

1 Chronicles 13:12 comes from the book of 1 Chronicles, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include fear of God, questioning, reverence. Notable phrases: David was afraid; How shall I bring the ark.

Your reflection

What does 1 Chronicles 13:12 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "anxious"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.