1 Chronicles 13

1 Chronicles 13:1-8

Here, 1. A resolution is made by David and the elders, to bring up the ark from Kirjath-jearim, vers. 1—4. 2. It is brought out thence with great joy and solemnity, vers. 5—8. 3. Uxaz is struck dead for touching it, which spoils the solemnity, and slips their proceedings, vers. 9—14.

1. AND David consulated with the captains of thousands, and hundreds, and with every leader. 2. And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it firm 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. 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 Shibor, Egypt, even unto the entering of Jirmash, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim. 6. And David went up, and all Israel to Baalah, that is to Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelteth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it. 7. And they carried the ark of God in a new cart, out of the house of Abusa-dab: and Uzza and Abio drove the cart. 8. And Da-

5 U vid Before Chord vius- PC laude as same impper. vid and all Israel¹ played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with pfalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. No sooner was David gone up from Hebron, and had secured the fortress of Jerusalem, where he resolved to take up his future abode, than he is solicitous to raise the neglected ark from its obscurity, and to bring it to a more honourable place. 1. He proposes the matter to his great men and officers, for their advice and concurrence. They had neglected the ark in the days of Saul, when religion went greatly to decay. It would be now the stability of the kingdom, and the happiness of the land to enjoy the divine presence and favour; and therefore if it seemed good to them, as he doubted not they would approve the motion, they would without delay collect the proofs and Levites, and the principal men of the land to attend the solemnity of bringing up the ark to Jerusalem. Nor, (1.) To have God with us should be our first and chief desire, as the foundation of all true felicity. (2.) Respect paid to those whom we might command, engages their consent to our wishes, and is the way to be obeyed with cherafsteels. 2. The proposal was very much applauded, and the congregation assembled from one end of the land to the other, and with great delight and joy they began the procession. Nor, (1.) It is matter of unspeakable joy to true Israelites, to for the drooping cause of God revive. (2.) When princes are promoters of godliness, it should stir up priests and people to correpond with their godly designs. Nechon. 2 Sam. vi. 6. Nam. 16. Or thonb or. § Lev. 2, 3. Phil. 1. 18. ¶ Job. 17. ¶ I. v. The breach of Uzza. ¶ Job. rev. 6. Phil. 1914. 110. 1 Mat. vi. 11. a Co. 6. 16. a Pet. 6. 6. &c. 9. ¶ And when they came unto the threshing-floor of Chidon, 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 fmore him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. 11. And David was dishealed, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza; wherefore that place is called Perez-uzza 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 brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 14. And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had.

1 Chronicles 13:9-14

The error they committed in removing the ark, hath been already observed, 2 Sam. vi. as well as the death of Uzza, and the interruption of the solemnity consequent thereupon. It may teach us, 1. Careful attention to the Divine prefection, nor to make light of the least commandment. (2.) I推断: In those who minister before the ark, is especially criminal. (3.) In the midst of every earthly joy, we have need to tremble. (4.) Discouraging providences are apt to cool our aral in the way of duty, so that, like David, we shop short. (5.) The same word of God, like the ark to Uzza and Obededom, is to one man the favour of life unto life, to another the favour of death unto death.