The First Book of the Chronicles
1 Chronicles 13
Chapter XIII · Vol. II, p. 825
1 David fetcheth the ark with great solemnity from Kirjath-jearim. 9 Uzza being smitten, the ark is left at the house of Obed-edom.
2 And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, bIf 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 cleft in all the land of Israel, and with them also dto the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us:
3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we einquired not at it in the days of Saul.1
e 1 Sa.7.1,2; 11.12.
1 This will account for the statement noticed in the note on ch.10.14. For thus, it appears that in whatever way of self-will Saul had inquired, he had neglected or despised inquiry in God's appointed place and manner.—C.
4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was fright in the eyes of all the people.
f 2 Sa.3.36.
5 So gDavid gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt, even unto the entering of Hemath,2 to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim.
g 2 Sa.6.1; 24.2. 1 Ki.4.21. Jos.13.3-6. Nu.34.5-8. Ju.20.1.
2 That is, from the southern extremity to the northern, equal to the corresponding expression, 'from Dan to Beersheba,' the northern and southern extremities. C.—Hamath was the Epiphania of the Greeks. It was formerly a celebrated city of Syria, and is still a considerable town, about three and a half days' journey from Tripoli.—I.
6 And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah,h that is, to Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, ithat dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it.
h Jos.15.9. 1 Sa.7.1,2. Ps.132.6. 2 Sa.6.2.
i Ex.25.22. 2 Ki.19.15. Ps.80.1. Is.37.16. 1 Ki.6.13.
7 And they carried the ark3 of God kin a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.
3 Heb. made the ark to ride.
k Nu.4.15. ch.15.2,13. 2 Sa.6.3,4.
8 And David and all Israel lplayed before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, mand with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
l 2 Sa 6.5. Ps.xxiv.xlvii.lxvi.-lxviii.
m Ps.68.25-27; 150.1-6.
9 And when they came unto the thrashingfloor of nChidon, Uzza oput forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.4
10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, pbecause he put his hand to the ark: and there he died qbefore God.
p Nu.4.15. ch.15.2,13. De.12.8. Jos.6.6. 1 Sa.6.19; v.
q Le.10.2. Nu.14.37. Ps.50.16,22. 1 Co.10.30. 2 Ch.26.16,20.
11 And David was displeased,5 because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez-uzza6 to this day.
5 Not displeased with God for his judgment, see ver. 12, but with himself and the Levites for neglecting the appointed order, and incurring the divine displeasure.—C.
6 That is, The breach of Uzza.
12 And David was afraid of God that day, saying, rHow shall I bring the ark of God home to me?
r Job 4.17; 25.6. Ps.119.120.
13 So David brought7 not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of sObed-edom the Gittite.8
7 Heb. removed.
s 2 Sa.6.10-12. ch.15.18,24; 26.4,8,15.
8 David did not here seek to avoid danger to himself, by transferring the ark to another; this had been both unlike and unworthy his character for courage and piety. But Obed-edom being a Levite, ch. 15. 18, his house was considered more suitable than even the royal residence. C.—Obed-edom was a Levite of the family of Kohath. He is called a Gittite, apparently because he was a native of the town of Gath-Rimmon, in Manasseh, which was assigned to the Kohathites, Jos. 21. 45. There is another Levite of this name mentioned in ch.16.38.—P.
Notes
Reflections.—To have God with us, as the foundation of all true felicity, should be our first and principal desire. But respect paid to those whom we command engages their consent, and is the way to be obeyed with cheerfulness. In the multitude of counsellors there is much, but not all safety. In the settlement of true religion magistrates ought to manage so as to recommend it to the approbation of all their subjects, and to act as nursing parents, not as ravening wolves. All who fear God ought to rejoice when religion is countenanced and promoted; and when princes are active, ministers should heartily correspond with their godly designs. Great care ought to be taken in correcting the mistakes of former times, which have passed unpunished. But not the least commandment of God ought ever to be overlooked; for the ignorance of those who minister before God's ark is especially criminal and dangerous. With all our joys we had need to join trembling. For a seemingly small miscarriage God may quickly turn our temple songs into howlings; and discouragements are apt to cool our zeal in the way of duty. But how profitable may the ark, the Christ, the gospel of God, be to some, while it is the savour of death unto others.