I Chronicles 13: Seeking God's Presence and the Importance of Obedience
And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.
And 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:
And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.
And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath–jearim.
And 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.
And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.
And 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.
And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.
And 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.
And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez–uzza to this day.
And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?
So 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.
And 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.
I Chronicles 13 recounts David's initial, albeit flawed, attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, highlighting the importance of seeking God's presence and obeying His specific instructions. This chapter serves as a powerful lesson in understanding God's holiness and approaching Him with reverence and obedience. This chapter is very important for I Chronicles 13.
David's Desire to Restore God's Presence (I Chronicles 13:1-4)
David, described by God as "a man after his own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), recognized that true victory and blessing came from God's hand. He understood, as he later proclaimed, that "the battle is the LORD’s" (1 Samuel 17:47). Driven by this conviction, David sought to restore the Ark of God, the symbol of God's holy presence and the place where He met with His people, to its rightful place in Jerusalem (I Chronicles 13:3). David recognized the spiritual neglect that had characterized Saul's reign, during which Israel had failed to inquire of God (I Chronicles 13:3). David was determined to lead differently and to prioritize seeking God's guidance and presence.
The Ark's Journey and Its Significance (I Chronicles 13:5-6)
The Ark's journey to Kiriath-jearim (I Chronicles 13:5) was a consequence of Israel's spiritual decline. The Ark had fallen into Philistine hands after Israel's priests treated it as a mere good luck charm, leading to God's judgment (see 1 Samuel 2:12–4:22). The Philistines, unable to bear the Ark's presence, sent it back to Israel (see 1 Samuel 5-6), where it remained in Kiriath-jearim for many years. The Ark symbolized God's presence and covenant with Israel, and its absence from the center of Israelite life reflected a spiritual void. David's desire to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem was a desire to restore that vital connection with God.
Celebration and a Costly Mistake (I Chronicles 13:7-14)
The initial procession to bring the Ark back was marked by joyous celebration. David and all Israel danced with all their might before God (I Chronicles 13:8), celebrating who God is, what He has done, and what they were trusting Him to do. David, a worshipping man and the author of many Psalms, led the celebration. However, this joyful occasion took a tragic turn, highlighting a crucial principle: worship must be more than heartfelt; it must be carried out in the way God prescribes.
God had given Israel specific instructions regarding the transportation of the Ark. Only the Levites were authorized to carry it, and they were to do so using poles inserted through rings on its sides (Exodus 25:12-15; 37:3-5; Deuteronomy 10:8). However, David's approach deviated from God's instructions. The Ark was placed on a new cart pulled by oxen (I Chronicles 13:7), mirroring the method used by the ungodly Philistines when they returned the Ark to Israel (see 1 Samuel 6:7).
When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah, one of those guiding the cart, reached out to steady the Ark (I Chronicles 13:9). In response, "the LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him dead" (I Chronicles 13:10). This seemingly harsh reaction underscores the holiness of God and the importance of approaching Him according to His revealed will. God is separate from His creation, unstained by sin, and the very standard of righteousness.
David's initial attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, though well-intentioned, was flawed because it disregarded God's specific instructions. This incident serves as a stark reminder that we cannot simply invent our own ways of approaching God.
Fearful of the LORD’s anger, David hesitated to bring the Ark to Jerusalem and instead placed it in the house of Obed-edom (I Chronicles 13:11-13). The Ark remained there until David was ready to follow God's prescribed method (I Chronicles 13:14; see 1 Chronicles 15:2-15).
This chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience and reverence when approaching God. Just as one wouldn't casually approach a head of state without regard for protocol, we must approach our holy and transcendent King with the utmost respect and adherence to His revealed will. Only then can we truly experience the fullness of His presence and blessing.
And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.
And 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:
And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.
And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath–jearim.
And 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.
And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.
And 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.
And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.
And 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.
And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez–uzza to this day.
And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?
So 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.
And 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.
I Chronicles 13 recounts David's initial, albeit flawed, attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, highlighting the importance of seeking God's presence and obeying His specific instructions. This chapter serves as a powerful lesson in understanding God's holiness and approaching Him with reverence and obedience. This chapter is very important for I Chronicles 13.
David's Desire to Restore God's Presence (I Chronicles 13:1-4)
David, described by God as "a man after his own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), recognized that true victory and blessing came from God's hand. He understood, as he later proclaimed, that "the battle is the LORD’s" (1 Samuel 17:47). Driven by this conviction, David sought to restore the Ark of God, the symbol of God's holy presence and the place where He met with His people, to its rightful place in Jerusalem (I Chronicles 13:3). David recognized the spiritual neglect that had characterized Saul's reign, during which Israel had failed to inquire of God (I Chronicles 13:3). David was determined to lead differently and to prioritize seeking God's guidance and presence.
The Ark's Journey and Its Significance (I Chronicles 13:5-6)
The Ark's journey to Kiriath-jearim (I Chronicles 13:5) was a consequence of Israel's spiritual decline. The Ark had fallen into Philistine hands after Israel's priests treated it as a mere good luck charm, leading to God's judgment (see 1 Samuel 2:12–4:22). The Philistines, unable to bear the Ark's presence, sent it back to Israel (see 1 Samuel 5-6), where it remained in Kiriath-jearim for many years. The Ark symbolized God's presence and covenant with Israel, and its absence from the center of Israelite life reflected a spiritual void. David's desire to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem was a desire to restore that vital connection with God.
Celebration and a Costly Mistake (I Chronicles 13:7-14)
The initial procession to bring the Ark back was marked by joyous celebration. David and all Israel danced with all their might before God (I Chronicles 13:8), celebrating who God is, what He has done, and what they were trusting Him to do. David, a worshipping man and the author of many Psalms, led the celebration. However, this joyful occasion took a tragic turn, highlighting a crucial principle: worship must be more than heartfelt; it must be carried out in the way God prescribes.
God had given Israel specific instructions regarding the transportation of the Ark. Only the Levites were authorized to carry it, and they were to do so using poles inserted through rings on its sides (Exodus 25:12-15; 37:3-5; Deuteronomy 10:8). However, David's approach deviated from God's instructions. The Ark was placed on a new cart pulled by oxen (I Chronicles 13:7), mirroring the method used by the ungodly Philistines when they returned the Ark to Israel (see 1 Samuel 6:7).
When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah, one of those guiding the cart, reached out to steady the Ark (I Chronicles 13:9). In response, "the LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him dead" (I Chronicles 13:10). This seemingly harsh reaction underscores the holiness of God and the importance of approaching Him according to His revealed will. God is separate from His creation, unstained by sin, and the very standard of righteousness.
David's initial attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, though well-intentioned, was flawed because it disregarded God's specific instructions. This incident serves as a stark reminder that we cannot simply invent our own ways of approaching God.
Fearful of the LORD’s anger, David hesitated to bring the Ark to Jerusalem and instead placed it in the house of Obed-edom (I Chronicles 13:11-13). The Ark remained there until David was ready to follow God's prescribed method (I Chronicles 13:14; see 1 Chronicles 15:2-15).
This chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience and reverence when approaching God. Just as one wouldn't casually approach a head of state without regard for protocol, we must approach our holy and transcendent King with the utmost respect and adherence to His revealed will. Only then can we truly experience the fullness of His presence and blessing.