1 Chronicles Chapter 13
1 David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader.
2 David said to all the assembly of Israel, "If it seems good to you, and if it is of the LORD our God, let's send word everywhere to our brothers who are left in all the land of Israel, with whom the priests and Levites are in their cities that have pasture lands, that they may gather themselves to us.
3 Also, let's bring the ark of our God back to us again; for we didn't seek it in the days of Saul."
4 All the assembly said that they would do so; for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor the brook of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring God's ark from Kiriath Jearim.
6 David went up with all Israel to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there God the LORD's ark that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the Name.
7 They carried God's ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab's house; and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.
8 David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with cymbals, and with trumpets.
9 When they came to Chidon's threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.
10 The LORD's anger burnt against Uzza, and he struck him, because he put his hand on the ark; and he died there before God.
11 David was displeased, because the LORD had broken out against Uzza. He called that place Perez Uzza, to this day.
12 David was afraid of God that day, saying, "How can I bring God's ark home to me?"
13 So David didn't move the ark with him into David's city, but carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite's house.
14 God's ark remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months; and the LORD blessed Obed-Edom's house and all that he had.
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1 Chronicles Chapter 13 Guide
David's consciousness of the true strength of the kingdom is manifest in his anxiety concerning the Ark of God. This had been at Kirjathjearim, and neglected for long years. He now set himself to bring it into the midst of the people as a recognition of the nation's relationship to Jehovah.
In connection with this action a terrible event taught David a lesson of deep solemnity. If God's order is to be restored, it must be done in His way. The long neglect of the Ark would seem to have rendered these men unfamiliar with all the particular regulations for its removal, which they attempted by a device of their own. The swift death of the man who stretched out a hand to save the Ark was evidence at once of the presence of God among the people, and of the necessity for perfect conformity to His minutest instructions. David was at once angry and afraid. The whole movement was stayed, and the Ark was carried for shelter to the house of Obed-edom.
Most graphically does this story set forth a truth never to be lost sight of by the people of God, that zeal for Him must be according to knowledge. When divine arrangements are made for methods of worship and service, no circumstances must be allowed to be an excuse for a change in such methods.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
1 Chronicles Chapter 13 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- David consults about the ark. -- (1-5)
- The removal of the ark. -- (6-14)
Verses 1-5
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)
Verses 6-14
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.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.