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.

David Plans to Retrieve the Ark

1
David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds - with every leader. ​
2
Then David said to the entire assembly of Isra'el, "If it seems good to you, and if it is the will of ADONAI our God, let's send messengers to the rest of our kinsmen in the land of Isra'el, and also to the cohanim and L'vi'im in their cities with surrounding open land, asking them to join us; ​
3
and let's bring back the ark of our God to ourselves, since we didn't go after it when Sha'ul was king." ​
4
The whole assembly said they would do this, for in the view of all the people it seemed right.

The Procession Begins

5
So David summoned all Isra'el to come together, from Shichor in Egypt all the way to the entrance of Hamat, to bring the ark of God from Kiryat-Ye'arim. ​
6
David went up with all Isra'el to Ba'alah, that is, Kiryat-Ye'arim, which belonged to Y'hudah, to bring up from there the ark of God, ADONAI, who is enthroned above the k'ruvim, bearing the Name. ​
7
They set the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Avinadav, with 'Uza and Achyo, the sons of Avinadav, driving the cart. ​
8
David and all Isra'el celebrated in the presence of God with all their strength, with songs, lyres, lutes, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.

Uzza is Struck Down

9
When they arrived at Kidon's threshing-floor, the oxen stumbled; and 'Uza put out his hand to steady the ark. ​
10
But ADONAI's anger blazed up against 'Uza, and he struck him down, because he had put out his hand and touched the ark, so that he died there before God. ​
11
It upset David that ADONAI had broken out against 'Uza; that place has been called Peretz-'Uza [breaking-out of 'Uza] ever since. ​

The Ark Rests with Obed-Edom

12
That day, God frightened David; he asked, "How can I bring the ark of God to me?" ​
13
So David didn't bring the ark into the City of David; rather, David carried it aside into the house of 'Oved-'Edom the Gitti. ​
14
The ark of God stayed with the family of 'Oved-'Edom the Gitti in his house for three months; and ADONAI blessed the household of 'Oved-'Edom and all he had. ​

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.

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