1 Chronicles 13

1 Chronicles 13:1

JjLND David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. With all the principal persons in authority, who had any command over others. For it is a dangerous thing for a prince, especially in the beginning of his reign; to rely wholly upon himself alone, and not advise with others.

1 Chronicles 13:2

And David said unto all the congregation of Israel. Who were represented by those great men, whom he had called together for their advice. If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the Lord oar God.] Whom, I suppose, he intended to consult, as well as them. Let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in the land of Israel.] Who were not there present. And with them also the priests and Levites which are in the cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto its.] Whose assistance was very necessary, in the sacred work which he intended.

1 Chronicles 13:3

And let us bring again the ark of our God to tts. In the book of Samuel this is said to liave been done after that which here follows, in the next chapter, concerning Hiram and David’s wars with the Philistines; and so it was. Only David (as became a good king, whose first care is about religion) took advice with the elders of the people, as soon as he came to the crown, concerning the bringing up the ark of God. Which was put in execution afterward, when they had gone to their several countries, and spoken with the people about it; and a time was appointed for their meeting to do it. In the mean time Hiram sent his ambassadors to him, and the Philistines came twice to disturb him, and were beaten by him; and then all the people met in a vast number (it is probable at some solemn festival) to bring the ark to its place. For ive inquired not at it in the days of Saul] They were not solicitous in his days to find a fit place for the residence of the ark of God, where they might conveniently attend upon his worship and service. For they were hindered by perpetual wars^ and contented themselves with going to Gibeon, where the tabernacle was; though without the presence of God in it. But it is probable, that Saul, after, David fled from him, and he was haunted by that evil spirit, that oft came upon him, grew so profane that he was not concerned about religion. So tho words are in the Hebrew, We inquired not of it, or about it.

1 Chronicles 13:4

And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing ivas right in the, eyes of all the people. 4D oGG. A COMMENTARY UPON fctf AP. XlY. They were convinced of their negligence, and piously disposed to comply with tho king’s desire.

1 Chronicles 13:5

So David gathered all Israel together. Some chosen persons out of all the tribes, with their attendants (who represented all the rest): which were thirty thousand, (2 Sam. vi. 1.) From Shihor of Egypt even to the entering ofHemath.] Thfc former of these, Shihor, was the southern bounds, as Hemath was the northern of the land of Canaan. And by Sihor (called in other places the riverof Egypt) the Targum, and most of tho Jews, even Abarbincl himself, understand the river Nile. But there is great reason to take it for a little branch of that river, as I have shewn upon Gen. xv. 18. and see upon Numb, xxxiv. 5. Josh. xiii. 3. To bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim.] Where it had been a long time, ever since it returned out of the land of the Philistines. (See 1 Sam. vi. nit. vii. 1.) • Ver. (J. And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath-jearim^ which belonged toJudah, to bring up thence the ark of the Lord, that dwelleth between thechernbims, tohose name is called on it.) See 2 Sam. vi. 1;

1 Chronicles 13:7

And they carried the ark of Godin a new cart out of the house ofAbinadab: and Uzzaand Ahio drave the cart. They had so long been without it, that they had forgot how it ought to be carried. (See 2 Sam. vi. 3.) Ver* 8. And David and all Israel play ed before God ivith all their might, and with singing’, and ivith harps, and ibith psalteries, and with timbrels, and ivith cymbals, and with trumpets.’] See there, ver<§.- * v. “.

1 Chronicles 13:9

And when they came to the thrashing-floor of Chidons Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oXen stumbled.

1 Chronicles 13:10

And the anger of the Lord ivas kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put forth his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

1 Chronicles 13:11

And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Ferez-uzza to this day. All this hath been explained in the forenamed place, ver. G — 8.

1 Chronicles 13:12

And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?. See there, ver.9. It is an old observation, that “poena ad unum,metus ad plures pervenit;” punishment falls upon one, the fear of it falls upon all: which justifies the severity of God, as not contrary to his mercy, in such cases.

1 Chronicles 13:13

So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside inlo the house of Obed- Edom the Gittite. See there also> ver. 10.

1 Chronicles 13:14

And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edoni in his house three montlts. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he had. Sec there, ver. 11. The Targum here pretends to give us an account how God blessed this family, by increasing it prodigiously with a numerous issue; of which the Jews were so desirous, that they could think of no greater blessing. For his wife and eight daughters (says that paraphrast), the wives of his sons, brought each of them at one birth eight sons: so that fathers and sons made up fourscore and one. But though history acquaints us with wondrous births of many children at a time, yet there is no ground to believe this of Ao many in one family.