Old Testament · History

1 Chronicles 13

The Ark Moved

David's first attempt to bring the ark home. Uzzah reaches out, the oxen stumble, and a celebration becomes a funeral. Good intentions aren't enough.

King James Version BSB KJV

1And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.

2And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us:

3And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.

4And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

5So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim.

6And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it.

7And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.

8And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

9And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

10And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

11And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez-uzza to this day.

12And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

13So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

14And 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.

Understand This

1 Chronicles 13, explained

What 1 Chronicles 13 is saying

David consults all Israel about bringing the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim, and the people agree with great enthusiasm. The ark is placed on a new cart, but when Uzzah touches it to steady it, God strikes him dead. David is both angry and afraid, and the ark is diverted to the house of Obed-edom.

The background behind it

The ark had remained at Kiriath-jearim since its return from Philistine territory (1 Samuel 7:1-2), approximately twenty years. David's desire to centralize worship around the ark was theologically sound, but the method of transport violated the Levitical regulations for carrying it on poles.

Themes running underneath

Good intentions do not override God's prescribed methods. The Uzzah incident reveals that enthusiasm for God is not a substitute for reverence and obedience. The Chronicler separates this failed attempt from the successful one in chapter 15 to highlight the importance of doing things God's way.

Why it still matters

Sincerity of purpose does not guarantee correctness of method. David's mistake teaches that how we approach God matters as much as whether we approach Him.

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Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.