Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 13

Verse 1

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

And David consulted. — He was not of that king of Scotland’s mind, who seldom asked counsel, and never followed any. But though himself were full of wisdom, yet he advised with his subjects about the weighty work he had in hand. See Proverbs 11:22 ; Proverbs 20:18 ; Proverbs 24:6 . His first care was to establish religion; as the first thing Abraham did in any place he moved to, was to set up an altar. "Seek first the kingdom of God," …

Verse 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 send 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:

If it seem good unto you. — Thus he both getteth their good wills and underfeeleth how they stood affected to God’s sincere service.

And that it be of the Lord. — If he hinder it not by any oracle, or cross accident; but assist and succeed our enterprise.

Let us send abroad. — Erumpamus, dimittamus. Let us break forth and send; that is, let us send speedily and effectually. See his zeal for the Lord of hosts.

Unto our brethren. — So he calleth all his subjects. The great Turk counteth and calleth them all his slaves.

Verse 3

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

For we inquired not at it in the days of Saul. — He was so vexed with his enemies without and a spirit of envy and ambition within, that he minded not the ark. Mark here how David faults himself among others as negligent. So Ezra 9:7-15 Daniel 9:5-15 .

Verse 4

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

And all the congregation said that they would do so. — Jovianus the Emperor was wont to wish that he might govern wise men, and that wise men might govern him. David had this happiness.

Verse 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.

From Shihor of Egypt. — Called elsewhere the torrent of Egypt, Numbers 34:5 which some take for a river running near to Rhinocolura; but others for Nile, that ancient river whose seven streams of old are now become four, as travellers tell us. The name Sichor hath a notion of blackness in it, from the blackness of the water, or rather of the mud and slime that it brings down with it; or the black colour of the grounds and soils it passeth through. The Ethiopians called it Sius; the Greeks, Mελας ; the Latins, Melo. - Richard.

Verse 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].

That is, to Kirjathjearim. — Called also Kirjathbaal. Joshua 15:60 For more notes on this and the following verses, see on 2 Samuel 6:2-10 . See Trapp on " 2 Samuel 6:2 " …

Verse 7

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

In a new cart. — This was ill done by such a holy convention. Councils may err.

Verse 8

And David and all Israel played before God with all [their] might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

David and all Israel played. — How should we rejoice in the gospel now restored! O nos ingratos!

And with singing. — Psallunt et saliunt. All this is no warrant for those Popish pompous processions and superstitous will-worships.

Verse 9

And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

Uzza put forth his hand. — God must be duly worshipped, lest instead of a blessing we meet with a blow; lest instead of making up the breach we become makers of breaches, as here.

Verse 11

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

And David was displeased. — At himself, I think; at his own and the people’s error in carting the ark: else he was much mistaken. See on 2 Samuel 6:8 .

Wherefore that place was called Perezuzza. — To perpetuate the memory of that signal judgment. So Numbers 9:3 ; Numbers 22:3 Joshua 7:26 . For this end also, the brazen censors of those presumptuous sinners against their own souls, were nailed as broad plates upon the altar, Numbers 16:39-40 for a warning to others.

Verse 12

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

And David was afraid of God. — See on 2 Samuel 6:9 .

How shall I bring the ark? — Why, well enough, if you will take but better heed to the manner; which is either the making or marring of any action. But David was frightened, and for present, unresolved. So suddenly can God change the scene; dash all our comforts, -

“ Nulla est sincera voluptas.

Sollicitumque aliquid laetis intervenit. ”

Verse 13

So David brought not the ark [home] to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. 1 Chronicles 13:14 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.

Ver. 13,14. See Trapp on " 1 Chronicles 13:12 "