1 Chronicles 13
David's First Attempt to Bring the Ark
1David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader.
2David 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.
3Also, let’s bring the ark of our God back to us again, for we didn’t seek it in the days of Saul.”
4All the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
5So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor River of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring God’s ark from Kiriath Jearim.
6David 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.
7They carried God’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house; and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.
8David 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.
9When they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled.
10The LORD’s anger burned against Uzza, and he struck him because he put his hand on the ark; and he died there before God.
11David was displeased, because the LORD had broken out against Uzza. He called that place Perez Uzza, to this day.
12David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring God’s ark home to me?”
13So David didn’t move the ark with him into David’s city, but carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house.
14God’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.
David consults with Israel's leaders and decides to bring the ark of God back to Jerusalem, gathering all Israel for this sacred mission. However, when Uzza touches the ark to steady it after the oxen stumble, God strikes him dead, revealing the serious consequences of not following proper protocols for handling holy objects. David becomes afraid and temporarily places the ark in Obed-Edom's house, where it remains for three months while God blesses that household.
Context
This chapter follows David's establishment as king and precedes his successful second attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem using proper Levitical procedures.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-4David Consults Leaders About the ArkDavid seeks counsel from military leaders and the assembly about bringing back the ark of God.
- 5-8All Israel Gathers for the MissionDavid assembles the entire nation to transport the ark from Kiriath Jearim with great celebration.
- 9-10Uzza's Fatal TouchWhen the oxen stumble, Uzza touches the ark to steady it and is immediately struck dead by God.
- 11-14David's Fear and the Ark's Temporary HomeDavid becomes afraid and places the ark with Obed-Edom, whose household is blessed for three months.
David's First Attempt to Bring the Ark
13:1–13:14Recounts David's failed first attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem, resulting in Uzza's death for touching it. Shows the importance of approaching God with proper reverence and obedience to His commands.
person_contrast
David's consultation with "every leader" before moving the ark contrasts sharply with his typical unilateral decision-making, revealing how divine holiness transforms even kings into cautious collaborators.
1 Chronicles 13:1
2 Chronicles 35:8lexicalHis princes gave a free will offering to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel,…
2 Samuel 6:1parallelDavid again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
1 Chronicles 13:6
2 Samuel 6:2lexicalDavid arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah, to bring up from there God’s ark, which is…
Joshua 15:9lexicalThe border extended from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of…
1 Chronicles 13:7
2 Samuel 6:3lexicalThey set God’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house that was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the s…
2 Samuel 6:4lexicalThey brought it out of Abinadab’s house which was in the hill, with God’s ark; and Ahio went before the ark.
1 Chronicles 13:8
2 Chronicles 5:12lexicalalso the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arra…
1 Chronicles 15:28lexicalThus all Israel brought the ark of the LORD’s covenant up with shouting, with sound of the cornet, with trumpets, and wi…
2 Samuel 6:5lexicalDavid and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps,…
1 Chronicles 25:6lexicalAll these were under the hands of their father for song in the LORD’s house, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and har…
Nehemiah 12:27lexicalAt the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem…
1 Chronicles 13:9
2 Samuel 6:6lexicalWhen they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for God’s ark and took hold of it, for the cattle stumbled…
1 Chronicles 13:10
2 Samuel 6:7lexicalThe LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by God’s ark.
1 Chronicles 13:11
2 Samuel 6:8lexicalDavid was displeased because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah to this day.
1 Chronicles 14:11lexicalSo they came up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like w…
2 Samuel 5:20lexicalDavid came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there. Then he said, “The LORD has broken my enemies before me, like t…
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Historical Context
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