1 Chronicles 13:1-14 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

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1 Chronicles 13:3. Let us bring again the ark of our God, which, like the church, had now dwelt seventy or eighty years in an unsettled abode.

1 Chronicles 13:5. Shihor of Egypt. The river of Egypt, so often mention when the boundaries of Israel are described, is a subject of much debate among oriental travellers and biblical critics. Some contend that it is the eastern branch of the Nile which runs into the sea at Damiette, the ancient Pelusium; and others, that it is the lake of Shirbon, or the small river at the entrance of the desert, near El-Arish. After consulting various maps and authors I feel perfectly satisfied with the decision of Dr. Lightfoot, vol. 2. p. 9. From Pelusium, says Pliny, are the entrenchments of Chabrias, mount Casius, the temple of Jupiter Casius, the tomb of Pompey the great, and Ostracine. The boundaries of Arabia are sixty five miles from Pelusium: a little farther begin the boundaries of Idumea, and Palestine at the lake Shirbon. The word Shirbon implies burning, which corresponds with its nature, which is bituminous. It is described by Diodorus Siculus, Strabo, and others, to whom I refer the reader. It is a small lake, bitter like Sodom, and perhaps had the same origin. Hence the farthest southern boundary of Israel was not the Nile, but Shihor in the way to Egypt. Joshua 13:3; Jeremiah 2:18. In Isaiah 27:12, the LXX render it, “unto Rhinocorura.” Hemath, Emesa, or Emath at the foot of mount Lebanon, towards Damascus, the capital of Hamath.

1 Chronicles 13:10. The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, who as a levite ought to have known better. The priest covered the ark with a cloth, and the levites should have borne it on staves; but as men had not consulted the ark all the days of Saul, this custom was forgotten on that day. Therefore the Lord divided the soul of Uzza from his body, as the Hebrew imports. No sinner can approach his Maker without an atonement, and a Mediator.

1 Chronicles 13:11. David was displeased. David was made sad, and so awed that he durst not bring the ark near to his own house.

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.