1 Chronicles 13

King James Version

Full text for 1 Chronicles Chapter 13

1¶ And 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 Kirjathjearim.

6And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, [that is], to Kirjathjearim, 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.

9¶ And 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 Perezuzza 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 Obededom the Gittite.

14And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

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.

Medium Summary

King David, upon ascending the throne, consults with the military captains and all the congregation of Israel regarding the return of the Ark of God, which had been neglected since the days of Saul. With the unanimous consent of the people, David gathers all Israel from various regions to Kirjathjearim to retrieve the sacred Ark. They transport the Ark from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzza and Ahio guiding it, while David and the people celebrate with great musical fanfare. However, as they reach the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza puts forth his hand to steady the Ark when the oxen stumble, and the LORD's anger is kindled, striking Uzza dead. This divine judgment causes David to be displeased and filled with fear, questioning his ability to bring the Ark home. Consequently, David diverts the Ark to the house of Obededom the Gittite, where it remains for three months, and during this period, the LORD abundantly blesses Obededom and his household.

Long Summary

In the early days of his reign, King David initiated a significant national undertaking by consulting with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader in Israel. He then addressed the entire congregation, proposing that if it seemed good to them and to the LORD, they should send word throughout the land to gather all their brethren, including priests and Levites, to bring back the Ark of God, which had been largely ignored during Saul's time. The proposal was met with universal approval, as it was deemed right in the eyes of all the people. Consequently, David assembled all Israel, from the southernmost border of Shihor of Egypt to the northernmost entering of Hemath, with the express purpose of retrieving the Ark from Kirjathjearim. They journeyed to Baalah, also known as Kirjathjearim, where the Ark of God, representing the presence of the LORD who dwelleth between the cherubims, resided in the house of Abinadab. The Ark was then placed upon a new cart, driven by Uzza and Ahio, for its transport. As the procession moved, David and all Israel celebrated before God with immense enthusiasm, playing with all their might, singing, and using various instruments including harps, psalteries, timbrels, cymbals, and trumpets. However, a critical incident occurred at the threshingfloor of Chidon: when the oxen stumbled, Uzza instinctively reached out his hand to steady the Ark. This act provoked the anger of the LORD, who smote Uzza, causing him to die immediately before God. David was deeply displeased by this divine judgment, and the place was subsequently named Perezuzza, signifying the breach made upon Uzza. Overwhelmed by fear of God, David questioned how he could possibly bring the Ark into his own city. Therefore, instead of continuing the journey to the City of David, he diverted the Ark to the nearby house of Obededom the Gittite. The Ark of God remained in Obededom's house for a period of three months, during which time the LORD bestowed abundant blessings upon Obededom's household and all that he possessed, demonstrating the sacredness and power associated with the divine presence.

Core Concepts

  • Restoration of the ArkDavid's primary initiative to bring the Ark of God back to prominence after its neglect during Saul's reign, signifying a renewed focus on divine presence in Israel.
  • Consultation and ConsensusDavid's practice of consulting with leaders and the entire congregation before undertaking a major national endeavor, demonstrating a collaborative approach to governance.
  • Improper Handling of Sacred ObjectsThe tragic incident involving Uzza, who was smitten for touching the Ark, highlighting the strict divine requirements for handling sacred items and the consequences of violating them.
  • Divine JudgmentThe immediate and severe punishment of Uzza by the LORD, serving as a powerful demonstration of God's holiness and the seriousness of disrespecting His commands regarding the Ark.
  • Fear of GodDavid's reaction of fear and apprehension after Uzza's death, prompting him to reconsider the proper way to approach and transport the Ark of God.
  • Divine BlessingThe subsequent blessing upon the house of Obededom the Gittite, where the Ark resided for three months, illustrating that the presence of the Ark, when properly respected, brings prosperity and favor.
  • Significance of the ArkThe chapter underscores the Ark's central importance as a symbol of God's presence and power, demanding reverence and adherence to specific divine protocols.