1 Chronicles 13NASB
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1 Chronicles13

New American Standard

1Then David consulted with the captains of the thousands and the hundreds, with every leader.

2David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is from the Lord our God, let us send word everywhere to our kinsmen who remain in all the land of Israel, and to the priests and Levites who are with them in their cities with pasture lands, that they meet with us;

3and let us bring back the ark of our God to us, since we did not seek it in the days of Saul.”

4Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for this was right in the eyes of all the people.

5So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor of Egypt to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.

6David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, the Lord who is enthroned above the cherubim, where His name is called.

7And they carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.

8David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

9When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, because the oxen nearly overturned it.

10But the anger of the Lord burned against Uzza, so He struck him because he had put out his hand toward the ark; and he died there before God.

11Then David became angry because of the Lord’s outburst against Uzza; and he called that place Perez-uzza as it is to this day.

12David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”

13So David did not take the ark with him to the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

14And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house for three months; and the Lord blessed the family of Obed-edom and all that he had.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 13.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: David consults about the ark. (1–5). The removal of the ark. (6–14).

vv1-5

David said not, What magnificent thing shall I do now? or, What pleasant thing? but, What pious thing? that he might have the comfort and benefit of that sacred oracle. Let us bring the ark to us, that it may be a blessing to us. Those who honour God, profit themselves. It is the wisdom of those setting out in the world, to take God's ark with them. Those are likely to go on in the favour of God, who begin in the fear of God. (1Ch 13:6-14)

vv6-14

Let the sin of Uzza warn all to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, in dealing with holy things; and let none think that a good design will justify a bad action. Let the punishment of Uzza teach us not to dare to trifle with God in our approaches to him; yet let us, through Christ, come boldly to the throne of grace. If the gospel be to some a savour of death unto death, as the ark was to Uzza, yet let us receive it in the love of it, and it will be to us a savour of life unto life.

Cross References

1 Chronicles 13
v12 Samuel 6:1thematic

Parallel account of David gathering the chosen leaders and representatives of Israel for the assembly.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v62 Samuel 6:2thematic

Parallel description of Baalah (Kirjath-jearim) and bringing up the ark of God.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v72 Samuel 6:3thematic

Parallel record of carrying the ark out of Abinadab's house on a new cart.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v92 Samuel 6:6thematic

Parallel account of reaching the threshingfloor and Uzza putting his hand to the ark.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v102 Samuel 6:7thematic

Parallel account of God's anger kindled against Uzza and his immediate death.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v112 Samuel 6:8thematic

Parallel account of David's displeasure and naming the place Perez-uzza.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v122 Samuel 6:9thematic

Parallel account of David's fear of God and his question about bringing the ark home.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v132 Samuel 6:10thematic

Parallel account of moving the ark to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v132 Samuel 6:11thematic

Parallel account of the ark remaining with Obed-edom and the Lord blessing his household.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v31 Samuel 7:1thematic

Identifies Kirjath-jearim and the house of Abinadab where the ark had long neglectedly remained.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v7Numbers 4:15thematic

The Mosaic command forbidding touching the holy things on pain of death, violated here.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

David explicitly explains later that the breach occurred because they did not seek God after due order.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v2Numbers 35:2-9thematic

The law concerning the cities and suburbs assigned to the priests and Levites.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v31 Samuel 14:18contrast

An instance where Saul did temporarily inquire at the ark, contrasting with overall neglect.

Supported by Matthew Poole