1 Chronicles13
New International Version
1David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.
2He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us.
3Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.”
4The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.
5So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.
6David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name.
7They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it.
8David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.
9When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled.
10The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.
11Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.
12David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”
13He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
14The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 13.
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.
Key Words
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
יָעַץ: to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve
עִם: adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then usually unrepresented in English)
שַׂר: a head person (of any rank or class)
אֶלֶף: hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
מֵאָה: a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נָגִיד: a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
קָהָל: assemblage (usually concretely)
Cross References
1 Chronicles 13Parallel account of David gathering the chosen leaders and representatives of Israel for the assembly.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel description of Baalah (Kirjath-jearim) and bringing up the ark of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel record of carrying the ark out of Abinadab's house on a new cart.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of reaching the threshingfloor and Uzza putting his hand to the ark.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of God's anger kindled against Uzza and his immediate death.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of David's displeasure and naming the place Perez-uzza.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of David's fear of God and his question about bringing the ark home.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of moving the ark to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel account of the ark remaining with Obed-edom and the Lord blessing his household.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Kirjath-jearim and the house of Abinadab where the ark had long neglectedly remained.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
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
The law concerning the cities and suburbs assigned to the priests and Levites.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
An instance where Saul did temporarily inquire at the ark, contrasting with overall neglect.
Supported by Matthew Poole