Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 13

Verse 7

a new cart ... After Aaron and his sons had prepared the holy objects and furnishings of the tabernacle, "...the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them ..." Numbers 4:15. Moses was commanded to put "poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to carry the ark with them" Exodus 25:14. The Kohathites were to carry the ark "on their shoulders" Numbers 7:9.

Years later, David decided to transport the ark on a "new cart" 1 Chronicles 13:7. While it was an act motivated by good intent, participated in with great zeal, approved by the leaders and the people, "The anger of the Lord" struck Uzza dead and David called that place "Perezuzza" - 1 Chronicles 13:1-11 KJV. He learned the lesson -- they must respect what "the Lord chose" - 1 Chronicles 15:2. So next time "the sons of the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders, with the poles thereon as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord" - 1 Chronicles 15:15.

"Carry" is generic as to how and who, but gathering all the pertinent facts and harmonizing them indicated the authority was specific as to who and how. We too, better learn the lesson of "Perezuzza" and respect what "the Lord chose"!