1 Chronicles Chapter 13 — Moving the Ark of God
David attempts to bring the Ark of God back to Jerusalem with a large assembly, but the journey ends abruptly when Uzza is struck down for touching 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.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Chronicles 13:3
“Also, let’s bring the ark of our God back to us again, for we didn’t seek it in the days of Saul.”
It highlights David's desire to prioritize God's presence, which had been neglected during the previous reign.
1 Chronicles 13:10
“The LORD’s anger burned against Uzza, and he struck him because he put his hand on the ark; and he died there before God.”
This verse records the central conflict of the chapter, illustrating the sanctity of the Ark.
1 Chronicles 13:14
“God’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.”
It shows the positive impact of God's presence when it is hosted according to His favor.
Chapter Summary
In 1 Chronicles Chapter 13, David consults with his leaders and the assembly of Israel to bring the Ark of God from Kiriath Jearim back to their midst. This act marks a spiritual refocusing that was absent during the reign of Saul. David gathers people from across the land, and they place the Ark on a new cart driven by Uzza and Ahio. The procession is a joyous one, filled with music and celebration. However, when the oxen stumble at Chidon's threshing floor, Uzza reaches out to steady the Ark. This action results in God's anger, and Uzza is struck dead instantly. Distressed and afraid, David halts the journey and names the place Perez Uzza. Instead of continuing to Jerusalem, David leaves the Ark at the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite, where it remains for three months, bringing blessing to Obed-Edom’s household.
Frequently Asked Questions
David wanted to bring the Ark back to the center of Israel's life because it had been largely ignored during the reign of King Saul. He believed the nation should seek God's presence as they established their new capital.
The text states that God's anger burned against Uzza because he put his hand on the Ark when the oxen stumbled. This event emphasizes the extreme holiness of the Ark and the requirement to handle it according to divine instructions.
Obed-Edom the Gittite was the man who hosted the Ark in his home after David became afraid to bring it into Jerusalem. The chapter ends by noting that God blessed Obed-Edom and his entire household during the three months the Ark remained there.
The name 'Perez Uzza' means 'the breaking out against Uzza.' David gave the location this name to commemorate where God 'broke out' in judgment against Uzza for touching the Ark.
Study Note
The use of a 'new cart' to transport the Ark mirrored Philistine practices rather than the Mosaic Law, which required the Levites to carry the Ark on their shoulders.
Related Chapters
2 Samuel 6
This chapter provides a parallel account of David's attempt to move the Ark and the death of Uzza.
1 Chronicles 15
In this later chapter, David successfully brings the Ark to Jerusalem by following the proper priestly procedures.
1 Samuel 7
This chapter explains how the Ark originally came to be at Kiriath Jearim in the house of Abinadab.
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