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 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 us send abroad everywhere to our brothers who are left in all Eretz-Israel, with whom the priests and Levites are in their cities that have suburbs, that they may gather themselves to us; ​
3
and let us bring again the ark of our God to us. 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.

The Procession Begins

5
So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor the brook of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. ​
6
David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the Name. ​
7
They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. ​
8
David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with cymbals, and with shofars.

Uzza is Struck Down

9
When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. ​
10
the LORD’s anger was kindled against Uzza, and he struck him, because he put out his hand to the ark; and there he died before God. ​
11
David was displeased, because the LORD had broken out against Uzza. He called that place Perez Uzza, to this day. ​

The Ark Rests with Obed-Edom

12
David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?” ​
13
So David didn’t move the ark to him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. ​
14
The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months: and the LORD blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that 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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