1 Chronicles 13:1-14 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

The Bringing up of the Ark from Kiriath-jearim to the House of Obed-Edom (cf. 2 Samuel 6:1-11). The event here mentioned is put in its wrong place by the Chronicler (see 2 Samuel 5:11-25) with the object of emphasizing David's zeal for the worship of Yahweh, which is represented as his first care after being made king and the taking of Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 13:1-4. An introduction inserted by the Chronicler setting forth his own point of view.

1 Chronicles 13:5. Shihor: conceived of as the southern boundary of ancient Israel; there is, of course, no mention of this in the parallel account in 2 S. the entering in of Hamath: the northern boundary (cf. Numbers 13:21; Joshua 13:5; Judges 3:3).

1 Chronicles 13:6-14. See notes on 2 Samuel 6:1-11.

1 Chronicles 13:14. The RV rendering here is misleading; the words should run, following the Hebrew text as it stands: And the ark of God abode among the people (lit. - house-') of Obed-edom in its house.; it is possible, in view of 2 Samuel 6:10 f., that in its house is a textual error for the Gittite. If, however, the Hebrew text as it stands is correct, the difference between this passage and its parallel 2 Samuel 6:11 is significant, for in the latter the Ark is stated to have been placed in the house of Obed-edom, while the Chronicler, regarding the Ark as too holy to abide in an ordinary house, supposes a special one (presumably a tent; cf. 1 Chronicles 15:1), to have been erected for it.

Related Commentaries of 1 Chronicles 13:1

1 Chronicles 13:1-14

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

2 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 senda 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:

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

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

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

6 And 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.

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

8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing,c 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,d Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

10 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.

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

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

13 So David broughtf not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

14 And 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.