1 Chronicles 13

This chapter belongs to the David narrative in the latter part of 1 Chronicles. Following 1 Chronicles 12, which introduces the warriors and tribes who followed David, it describes David's first attempt as king to move the ark of God. The same event also appears in the first part of 2 Samuel 6.

Outline

• Verses 1–4 After consulting with his commanders, David proposes to the whole assembly that they gather their brethren, along with the priests and Levites, and bring back the ark of God. The assembly agrees.
• Verses 5–8 All Israel loads the ark onto a new cart at the house of Abinadab in Kiriath-jearim. Uzza and Ahio drive the cart, and the people play musical instruments and dance for joy.
• Verses 9–11 At the threshing floor of Chidon, the oxen stumble; Uzza takes hold of the ark and dies. David is displeased and names the place Perez-uzza.
• Verses 12–14 Afraid, David leaves the ark at the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. For three months the LORD blesses that household.

Key Verses

• 1 Chronicles 13:3 "for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul" — This marks David's new beginning in contrast to the era of Saul.
• 1 Chronicles 13:14 "And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had." — This records the blessing bestowed on the household where the ark remained.

Characters and Places

• Uzza and Ahio: Members of Abinadab's household who drove the cart carrying the ark.
• Abinadab: The man who kept the ark of God in his house after it was returned from the Philistines (1 Samuel 7).
• Obed-edom: He kept the ark for three months. Interpreters differ on whether he is the same person as the Levitical gatekeeper of the same name who appears later.
• Kiriath-jearim: A city of Judah, also called Baalah.
• Perez-uzza: The name means "the breach of Uzza." Second Samuel 6 calls this place "Nachon's threshingfloor."

Points for Reflection

The text records only that Uzza put forth his hand and took hold of the ark. In 1 Chronicles 15, David looks back and acknowledges that the Levites had not carried the ark and that it had not been done according to the due order. Commentators read this passage together with the regulations concerning the holy objects in Numbers 4, and some also compare it with the way the Philistines sent the ark back on a new cart (1 Samuel 6).

Second Samuel places the moving of the ark after the account of David's victory over the Philistines, whereas 1 Chronicles places the ark narrative first and inserts 1 Chronicles 14 in between. This arrangement is understood to reflect the Chronicler's emphasis on worship. The chapter is also read alongside Hebrews 12:28, which calls believers to serve God with reverence and godly fear.

In the Korean Church

Sermons in Korean churches frequently treat this chapter under the theme of "the blessing of Obed-edom." The account of Uzza is used to teach that serving according to the Word matters more than zeal.