New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Chronicles 13
1
David talked with each of his officers. He wanted to get their advice. Some of them were commanders of thousands of men. Others were commanders of hundreds.
Reference
2
David spoke to the whole community of Israel. He said, "Let's send word to the rest of our people no matter how far away they live. They live in all of the territories of Israel. Let's also send word to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and grasslands. Let's invite everyone to come and join us. Let's do it if it seems good to you and if that's what the Lord our God wants.
Reference
References Israel
1 Samuel 31:1
3
Let's bring the ark of our God back here to us. We didn't use it to ask God for advice during the whole time Saul was king."
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 23:2
1 Samuel 22:10
References God
1 Samuel 14:36
1 Samuel 14:18
1 Samuel 22:15
4
So that's what the whole community agreed to do. It seemed right to them.
5
David gathered all of the people together. They came from the area between the Shihor River in Egypt and Lebo Hamath. They came to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to Jerusalem.
Reference
6
David went to Baalah of Judah. The whole community of Israel went with him. Baalah is also called Kiriath Jearim. All of the people went there to get the ark of God the Lord. He sits on his throne between the cherubim. The ark is named after the Lord.
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 15:9
Joshua 15:60
References God
2 Kings 19:15
1 Samuel 4:4
References Israel
Exodus 25:22
7
The ark of God was placed on a new cart. Then it was moved from Abinadab's house. Uzzah and Ahio were guiding it.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 4:15
8
David was celebrating with all his might in the sight of God. So was the whole community of Israel. All of them were singing songs. They were also playing harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.
9
They came to the threshing floor of Kidon. The oxen nearly fell there. So Uzzah reached out his hand to hold the ark steady.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Samuel 6:6
10
Then the Lord's anger burned against Uzzah. He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So Uzzah died there in front of God.
Reference
11
David was angry because the Lord's burning anger had broken out against Uzzah. That's why the place is still called Perez Uzzah to this very day.
📍 Perez-uzza
12
David was afraid of God that day. He asked, "How can I ever bring the ark of God back here to me?"
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 119:120
13
So he didn't take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom. Obed-Edom was from Gath.
Reference
Summary of 1 Chronicles 13
This chapter describes David's first attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. After becoming king over all Israel and establishing Jerusalem as his capital, David wants the city to become not only the political center of the kingdom but also the center of Israel's worship.
David consults with the nation's leaders and proposes that they bring the Ark back because it had been neglected during the reign of Saul. The leaders and people agree, and a large national gathering takes place.
David and the Israelites travel to Kiriath-jearim, where the Ark has been kept. They place it on a new cart and begin transporting it toward Jerusalem. The procession is accompanied by singing, dancing, and many musical instruments. It is a joyful national celebration.
However, the celebration suddenly changes when the oxen stumble. Uzzah reaches out to steady the Ark, and God strikes him dead. David is deeply disturbed and becomes afraid. He asks how he can bring the Ark to him and decides not to continue the journey into Jerusalem.
Instead, the Ark is taken to the home of Obed-edom the Gittite. It remains there for three months, and God blesses Obed-edom's household and possessions.
The chapter teaches that David's desire to honor God was sincere, but sincere intentions were not enough. The Ark had to be handled according to God's instructions. The event becomes an important lesson about holiness, obedience, reverence, and the proper way to approach God.
Historically, the chapter also represents an important stage in the development of Jerusalem. David was transforming the city into both the political and religious center of Israel. The Ark would eventually be brought successfully into Jerusalem after David and the Levites learned from this first failed attempt.
Main Message:
David wanted God's presence at the center of Israel's new capital, but the death of Uzzah taught the nation that worship must be guided not only by enthusiasm and good intentions, but also by reverence and obedience to God's instructions.
David consults with the nation's leaders and proposes that they bring the Ark back because it had been neglected during the reign of Saul. The leaders and people agree, and a large national gathering takes place.
David and the Israelites travel to Kiriath-jearim, where the Ark has been kept. They place it on a new cart and begin transporting it toward Jerusalem. The procession is accompanied by singing, dancing, and many musical instruments. It is a joyful national celebration.
However, the celebration suddenly changes when the oxen stumble. Uzzah reaches out to steady the Ark, and God strikes him dead. David is deeply disturbed and becomes afraid. He asks how he can bring the Ark to him and decides not to continue the journey into Jerusalem.
Instead, the Ark is taken to the home of Obed-edom the Gittite. It remains there for three months, and God blesses Obed-edom's household and possessions.
The chapter teaches that David's desire to honor God was sincere, but sincere intentions were not enough. The Ark had to be handled according to God's instructions. The event becomes an important lesson about holiness, obedience, reverence, and the proper way to approach God.
Historically, the chapter also represents an important stage in the development of Jerusalem. David was transforming the city into both the political and religious center of Israel. The Ark would eventually be brought successfully into Jerusalem after David and the Levites learned from this first failed attempt.
Main Message:
David wanted God's presence at the center of Israel's new capital, but the death of Uzzah taught the nation that worship must be guided not only by enthusiasm and good intentions, but also by reverence and obedience to God's instructions.