First Chronicles 13 reveals that David’s military strength and popular support makes possible his main agenda of the worship of God at the temple in Jerusalem. This chapter represents the first of two attempts to move the ark from Kiriath Jearim (cf. 2 Samuel 6) to Jerusalem, the second successful attempt occurring in 1 Chronicles 15. The narrative begins with David’s consulting the people (13:1–4), continuing the motif of the entire nation (“all Israel”) unified around their monarch. David’s appeal to the assembly emphasizes the role of the people as a whole (“if it seems good to you”), but also of Yahweh (“if it is the will of the Lord our God”) in decision making. It is ironic that while in his speech David distances himself from his predecessor Saul, whose lack of inquiry led to his d…