1 Chr 13:5-14

1 Chronicles 13:5-14

King James Version (KJV)



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.

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.

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.

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.

9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor 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 smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

11 And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza 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 Obededom the Gittite.

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.


1 Chronicles 13:5-14

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)



5 And David assembleth all Israel from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering in of Hamath, to bring in the ark of God from Kirjath-Jearim,

6 and David goeth up, and all Israel, to Baalah, unto Kirjath-Jearim that [is] to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God Jehovah, inhabiting the cherubs, where the Name is called on.

7 And they place the ark of God on a new cart, from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio are leading the cart,

8 and David and all Israel are playing before God, with all strength, and with songs, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

9 And they come in unto the threshing-floor of Chidon, and Uzza putteth forth his hand to seize the ark, for the oxen were released,

10 and the anger of Jehovah is kindled against Uzza, and He smiteth him, because that he hath put forth his hand on the ark, and he dieth there before God.

11 And it is displeasing to David, because Jehovah hath made a breach upon Uzza, and one calleth that place `Breach of Uzza' unto this day.

12 And David feareth God on that day, saying, `How do I bring in unto me the ark of God?'

13 And David hath not turned aside the ark unto himself, unto the city of David, and turneth it aside unto the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

14 And the ark of God dwelleth with the household of Obed-Edom, in his house, three months, and Jehovah blesseth the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he hath.

These are my thoughts, please share yours.

5 David had to unite Israel during his reign because there were some who did not accept him as king from the start. The ark at this time was commonly kept in the tabernacle. During war time the ark was carried into battle with them to show God’s leadership.

6 The ark being moved was a big event, David would later plan on building a permit place for the ark only to have God tell him no but allow his son Solomon to build the temple for it. The ark being put in one place showed that there was a time of peace.

7 The bible has certain descriptions of how to move the ark. One it was not to be touched but carried by the poles holding the ark and only Levites were to carry the ark.

8 A celebration happened. David was not praising the might of Israel but praising the Lord. This was the start of the high point of Israel’s following God it would end after Solomon.

9 He made the mistake of touching the ark.

10 He died because he showed disrespect to God by disobeying His commands and touched the ark. We should show respect to God’s vessels but only show devotion to the Lord.

11 David was not happy because of the Lord’s judgment. The Lord was just but He also has grace, Uzzah did not be careful with the ark and he faced God’s wrath.

12 David was afraid. God is not someone to be scared of if you follow His commands. God loves but should be respected.

13 David was afraid to take the ark home. He was a Levite. At this time the temple was not built to contain the ark.

14 Just like they were blessed because they had the ark, we are blessed when we receive Jesus as Lord and the most blessings are still to come.

Just as God told Moses that to look on God would discinegrate him he showed Moses his back side in the burning bush. What David failed to understand that sin cannot touch God or it is destroyed immediately and David got angry with God for not seeing that Uzzah was only trying to steady the Ark so it would not fall to the ground. He did not think and was killed instantly.
It makes us all grateful that we have been washed in the blood of Jesus and we are seen as righteous before God. Other wise like Uzzah we might be killed because of sins.
Thank you God that you made a way for us to stand in your presence and live because of your Son Jesus Christ. amen










1 Chronicles 13:5-14
The Message (MSG)
David Goes to Get the Chest of God

13 1-14 David consulted with all of his leaders, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds. Then David addressed the entire assembly of Israel, “If it seems right to you, and it is God’s will, let’s invite all our relatives wherever they are throughout Israel, along with their relatives, including their priests and Levites from their cities and surrounding pastures, to join us.

And let’s bring the Chest of our God back—the Chest that was out of sight, out of mind during the days of Saul.” The entire assembly of Israel agreed—everybody agreed that it was the right thing to do.

So David gathered all Israel together, from Egypt’s Pond of Horus in the southwest to the Pass of Hamath in the northeast, to go and get the Chest of God from Kiriath Jearim. Then David and all Israel went to Baalah (Kiriath Jearim) in Judah to bring back the Chest of God, the “Cherubim-Throne-of-God,” where God’s Name is invoked.

They moved the Chest of God on a brand-new cart
from the house of Abinadab with Uzzah and Ahio in charge. In
procession with the Chest of God, David and all Israel worshiped exuberantly in song and dance, with a marching and of all kinds of instruments.

When they were at the threshing floor of Kidon, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah grabbed the Chest to keep it from falling off. God erupted in anger against Uzzah and killed him because he grabbed the Chest. He died on the spot—in the presence of God.

David lost his temper, angry because God exploded against Uzzah; the place is still called Perez Uzzah (Exploded Uzzah). David was terrified of God that day; he said, “How can I possibly continue this parade with the Chest of God?”

So David called off the parade of the Chest to the City of David; instead he stored it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The Chest of God was in storage in the house of Obed-Edom for three months.

God blessed the family of Obed-Edom and everything around him.