1 Chronicles13

King David consults with Israel's leaders and the congregation to bring the Ark of God back to Jerusalem, as it was neglected during Saul's reign. They retrieve the Ark from Kirjathjearim on a new cart, but when Uzza touches it to steady it, he is smitten by the LORD and dies. This event causes David to fear God, and he diverts the Ark to the house of Obededom the Gittite, whose household is subsequently blessed.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

David Plans to Retrieve the Ark

1
Then David conferred with all his leaders, the commanders of hundreds and of thousands. ​
2
And he said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if this is of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our brothers in all the land of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites in their cities and pasturelands, so that they may join us. ​
3
Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.” ​
4
And because this proposal seemed right to all the people, the whole assembly agreed to it.

The Procession Begins

5
So David assembled all Israel, from the River Shihor in Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. ​
6
David and all Israel went up to Baalah of Judah (that is, 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
So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart. ​
8
David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

Uzza is Struck Down

9
When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. ​
10
And the anger of the LORD 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 became angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah; so he named that place Perez-uzzah, as it is called to this day. ​

The Ark Rests with Obed-Edom

12
That day David feared God and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” ​
13
So he did not move the ark with him to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. ​
14
Thus 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 owned. ​

Study Notes for 1 Chronicles 13

Verse 1

David begins his reign by consulting with the national leaders, demonstrating humility and ensuring broad support for this crucial religious endeavor.

Verse 2

David frames the retrieval of the Ark not merely as a political move, but as an action guided by the will of God, requiring the participation of the priests and Levites.

Verse 3

The neglect of the Ark during Saul's time symbolized the spiritual poverty of the previous regime. Bringing the Ark back was essential for establishing Jerusalem as the spiritual center of Israel.

Verse 5

The comprehensive gathering, stretching across the entire traditional territory of Israel, emphasizes the national significance and unity of this religious act.

Verse 6

Kirjathjearim had housed the Ark for many decades after the Philistines returned it (1 Sam. 7:1). The description of God dwelling 'between the cherubims' refers to the Mercy Seat on the Ark.

Verse 7

Placing the Ark on a new cart instead of having it carried by the designated Levites using poles (as commanded in Num. 4:15) was a serious violation of Mosaic Law, setting the stage for disaster.

Verse 9

The threshingfloor of Chidon (called Nachon in 2 Sam. 6:6) marks the site of the tragedy. Uzza, likely the son of Abinadab, failed to respect the holiness of the Ark.

Verse 10

Uzza's death demonstrates the absolute necessity of obeying God's specific commands regarding holiness and worship, even when the intention (saving the Ark from falling) seems good.

Verse 11

Perezuzza means 'The Breach of Uzza.' David’s initial displeasure may have been confusion or anger, revealing his lack of full understanding of the strict requirements for handling the sacred Ark.

Verse 12

David’s fear was appropriate; he recognized that if God judged Uzza for touching the Ark, the entire community needed to assess its readiness to host such a holy object.

Verse 13

The procession was halted, and the Ark was diverted from Jerusalem (the City of David) to a temporary, nearby location, signaling the failure of David's initial attempt to bring it home.

Verse 14

Obed-Edom was a Gittite, possibly a Levite from Gath-Rimmon. The blessing he received demonstrated that the Ark brought life and prosperity when it was housed and treated respectfully, contrasting sharply with the judgment Uzza received.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options