1 Chronicles 13:1–14

Introduction

1 Chronicles 13:1–14: Over the next ten days we will read from 1 Chronicles. The books of Chronicles tell the history of the Israelite kings, emphasizing David’s line and the origin of Temple worship in Jerusalem. In today’s reading, King David orders men to bring the Covenant Box (also known as the Ark of the Covenant) to Jerusalem. As it is being moved in a public celebration, the oxen stumble. Uzzah, one of the movers, reaches out to brace the Box and is killed instantly. David becomes afraid and decides to leave the Box in another city outside Jerusalem.

Today’s Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 13:8 GNT

David and all the people danced with all their might to honor God. They sang and played musical instruments—harps, drums, cymbals, and trumpets.

Read

¹ King David consulted with all the officers in command of units of a thousand men and units of a hundred men. ² Then he announced to all the people of Israel, “If you give your approval and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send messengers to the rest of our people and to the priests and Levites in their towns, and tell them to assemble here with us. ³ Then we will go and get God’s Covenant Box, which was ignored while Saul was king.” ⁴ The people were pleased with the suggestion and agreed to it.

⁵ So David assembled the people of Israel from all over the country, from the Egyptian border in the south to Hamath Pass in the north, in order to bring the Covenant Box from Kiriath Jearim to Jerusalem. ⁶ David and the people went to the city of Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, in the territory of Judah, to get the Covenant Box of God, which bears the name of the LORD enthroned above the winged creatures. ⁷ At Abinadab’s house they brought out the Covenant Box and put it on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio guided the cart, ⁸ while David and all the people danced with all their might to honor God. They sang and played musical instruments—harps, drums, cymbals, and trumpets.

⁹ As they came to the threshing place of Chidon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out and took hold of the Covenant Box. ¹⁰ At once the LORD became angry with Uzzah and killed him for touching the Box. He died there in God’s presence, ¹¹ and so that place has been called Perez Uzzah ever since. David was furious because the LORD had punished Uzzah in anger.

¹² Then David was afraid of God and said, “How can I take the Covenant Box with me now?” ¹³ So David did not take it with him to Jerusalem. Instead, he left it at the house of a man named Obed Edom, a native of the city of Gath. ¹⁴ It stayed there three months, and the LORD blessed Obed Edom’s family and everything that belonged to him.

Reflect

What does David say happened to the Covenant Box before his reign (verse 3)? How do David and the people react to the moving (verse 8)? Uzzah seems to act out of good intentions. Why does God punish him for touching the ark? How does David respond (verses 11–12)? What does David’s fear say about his reverence for God? About the importance of proper worship?

Pray

Lord God, you are the holy one. Thank you for inviting us to come to you. Help us approach you with reverence and awe, and in humble obedience, that our praise may be true and pleasing to you. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

1 Chronicles 15:1–24: David makes new plans to move the Covenant Box.