1 Chronicles 13

Bringing Back the Ark

1 David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.

2 He 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.

3 Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of^[a] it^[b] during the reign of Saul.”

4 The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.

5 So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.

6 David 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.

7 They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it.

8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.

9 When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled.

10 The 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.

11 Then David was angry because the LORD’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.^[c]

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

13 He 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.

14 The 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.

1 Chronicles 13 Commentary

Chapter 13

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.

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.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 7:1-2
• 2. 2 Chronicles 1:5
• 3. 1 Chronicles 11:1; 1 Chronicles 15:3
• 4. S Joshua 13:3
• 5. S Numbers 13:21
• 6. S 1 Samuel 6:21; 1 Samuel 7:2
• 7. S Joshua 15:9; 2 Samuel 6:2
• 8. S Exodus 25:22; 2 Kings 19:15
• 9. Numbers 4:15; S 1 Samuel 7:1
• 10. 2 Samuel 6:5; 1Ch 15:16,19,24; 2 Chronicles 5:12; Psalms 92:3
• 11. 1 Chronicles 15:13,15
• 12. S Leviticus 10:2
• 13. 1 Chronicles 15:13; Psalms 7:11
• 14. 1 Chronicles 15:18,24; 1 Chronicles 16:38; 1 Chronicles 26:4-5,15
• 15. S 2 Samuel 6:11; 1 Chronicles 26:4-5

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "we neglected"
• [b]. Or "him"
• [c]. "Perez Uzzah" means "outbreak against Uzzah."

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 13

The contents of this chapter are the same with 2Sa 6:1-11, only David's consultation with the principal men of Israel concerning the affair herein transacted is premised in the first four verses of this.