King James Version
1 Chronicles 13
14 verses with commentary
The Ark Brought from Kiriath Jearim
And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on Ark of the Covenant - first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. The Hebrew term <em>קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) - holiness</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to Importance of approaching God properly. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
XIII.
(1) **And David consulted.**—This consultation took place some time after the coronation at Hebron (comp. 2Samuel 6:1), “And David gathered together again every chosen man iıı Israel, thirty thousand.” This is all that Samuel has corresponding to our 1Chronicles 13:1-5. It is by no means necessary to assume that, “according to the context, we are still at Hebron in the assemblage of 350,000 ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Chapter Outline
David consults about the ark.(1-5)
The removal of the ark.(6-14)
**Verses 1-5**
David said not, What magnificent thing shall I do now? or, What pleasant thing? but, What pious thing? that he might have the comfort and benefit of that sacred oracle. Let us bring the ark to us, that it may be a blessing to us. Those who honour God, profit themselves. It i...
Read full commentary →And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem 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: send: Heb. break forth and send in their: Heb. in the cities of their suburbs
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on Ark of the Covenant - first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. The Hebrew term <em>קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) - holiness</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to Importance of approaching God properly. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **All the congregation of Israel.**—As represented by the Council of Chiefs, who, according to the passage in Samuel, were 30,000 iıı number.
**And that it be.**—Rather, *and if it be*. The clause is not dependent. David says: “If before you (the thing be) good, and if (the motion come) from Jehovah.” The former phrase recurs in Nehemiah 2:5; Nehemiah 2:7, and is late Hebrew; the latter is ill...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Chapter Outline
David consults about the ark.(1-5)
The removal of the ark.(6-14)
**Verses 1-5**
David said not, What magnificent thing shall I do now? or, What pleasant thing? but, What pious thing? that he might have the comfort and benefit of that sacred oracle. Let us bring the ark to us, that it may be a blessing to us. Those who honour God, profit themselves. It i...
Read full commentary →And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. bring: Heb. bring about
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KJV Study Commentary
The phrase 'let us bring again the ark of our God to us' reveals a crucial theological insight: the ark's absence during Saul's reign symbolized spiritual neglect. The ark represented God's covenant presence (Exodus 25:22), and retrieving it signified David's prioritization of worship and divine presence. The statement 'we enquired not at it in the days of Saul' connects to 1 Chronicles 10:14's in...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Let us bring again.**—*Bring we round:* transfer it from Kirjath-jearim to Jerusalem, as the throne was transferred (same verb) from Saul to David (1Chronicles 10:14; 1Chronicles 12:23).
**The Ark of our God to us.**—The Ark was at Kirjath-jearim, a city of Judah, David’s own tribe. But the ting wished to establish it as the centre of the national worship in his new capital and royal residen...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21. Laadah ... the father ... of the house of them that wrought fine linen--**Here, again, is another incidental evidence that in very early times certain trades were followed by particular families among the Hebrews, apparently in hereditary succession. Their knowledge of the art of linen manufacture had been, most probably, acquired in Egypt, where the duty of bringing up families to the occup...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Chapter Outline
David consults about the ark.(1-5)
The removal of the ark.(6-14)
**Verses 1-5**
David said not, What magnificent thing shall I do now? or, What pleasant thing? but, What pious thing? that he might have the comfort and benefit of that sacred oracle. Let us bring the ark to us, that it may be a blessing to us. Those who honour God, profit themselves. It i...
Read full commentary →And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people</strong>—The Hebrew <em>yashar</em> ('right') indicates moral correctness and straight judgment. David's proposal to retrieve the ark received unanimous approval. Yet this 'right thing' was attempted wrongly (on a cart instead of Levitical shoulders), resulting in Uzzah's death (v.10)...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) All the assembly said, So should we do (comp. for the construction 1Chronicles 5:5; 1Chronicles 9:25). The thing, the proposal.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22-23. had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubi-lehem--**"And these are ancient things" seems a strange rendering of a proper name; and, besides, it conveys a meaning that has no bearing on the record. The following improved translation has been suggested: "Sojourned in Moab, but returned to Beth-lehem and Adaberim-athekim. These and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gedera were potters employed by the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Chapter Outline
David consults about the ark.(1-5)
The removal of the ark.(6-14)
**Verses 1-5**
David said not, What magnificent thing shall I do now? or, What pleasant thing? but, What pious thing? that he might have the comfort and benefit of that sacred oracle. Let us bring the ark to us, that it may be a blessing to us. Those who honour God, profit themselves. It i...
Read full commentary →So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on Ark of the Covenant - first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. The Hebrew term <em>קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) - holiness</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to Importance of approaching God properly. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **So David gathered all Israel.**— *Assembled*; a different word in 1Chronicles 13:2.
**Shihor of Egypt.**—The boundary between Egypt and Canaan is elsewhere called *Nahal Micrayim* (Authorısed Version, River of Egypt; Isaiah 27:12; 2Chronicles 7:8). It is the modern *Wady el* Arish. Joshua 13:3 also calls this winter torrent the Shihor (Blackwater); but, in Isaiah 23:3, Shihor means the Nile....
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22-23. had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubi-lehem--**"And these are ancient things" seems a strange rendering of a proper name; and, besides, it conveys a meaning that has no bearing on the record. The following improved translation has been suggested: "Sojourned in Moab, but returned to Beth-lehem and Adaberim-athekim. These and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gedera were potters employed by the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Chapter Outline
David consults about the ark.(1-5)
The removal of the ark.(6-14)
**Verses 1-5**
David said not, What magnificent thing shall I do now? or, What pleasant thing? but, What pious thing? that he might have the comfort and benefit of that sacred oracle. Let us bring the ark to us, that it may be a blessing to us. Those who honour God, profit themselves. It i...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on Ark of the Covenant - first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. The Hebrew term <em>קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) - holiness</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to Importance of approaching God properly. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) From this point our narrative coincides with that of 2Samuel 6:2-11. The original text was plainly the same, whether the chronicler drew directly from the Book of Samuel, or from another source. Such differences as appear consist of abridgments, paraphrases, and corrections.
**All Israel.**—Samuel, “All the people that were with him.”
**To Baalah.**—Joshua 15:60, “Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjat...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**24. The sons of Simeon--**They are classed along with those of Judah, as their possession was partly taken out of the extensive territory of the latter (Jos 19:1). The difference in several particulars of the genealogy given here from that given in other passages is occasioned by some of the persons mentioned having more than one name [compare Ge 46:10; Ex 6:15; Nu 26:12].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-14**
Let the sin of Uzza warn all to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, in dealing with holy things; and let none think that a good design will justify a bad action. Let the punishment of Uzza teach us not to dare to trifle with God in our approaches to him; yet let us, through Christ, come boldly to the throne of grace. If the gospel be to some a savour of death u...
Read full commentary →And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. carried: Heb. made the ark to ride
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on Ark of the Covenant - first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. The Hebrew term <em>קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) - holiness</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to Importance of approaching God properly. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) Abridged form of the fuller text preserved in 2Samuel 6:3 (see Notes there).
**Drave.**—Were *driving*. 2Samuel 6:4, is wholly omitted by the Chronicles. “Ahio” may mean *his brother,* or, with different points, *his brothers* (so LXX. and Syriac).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-14**
Let the sin of Uzza warn all to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, in dealing with holy things; and let none think that a good design will justify a bad action. Let the punishment of Uzza teach us not to dare to trifle with God in our approaches to him; yet let us, through Christ, come boldly to the throne of grace. If the gospel be to some a savour of death u...
Read full commentary →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. singing: Heb. songs
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on Ark of the Covenant - first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. The Hebrew term <em>קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) - holiness</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to Importance of approaching God properly. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Played.***—Were* dancing (to music)*.*
**With all their might, and with singing.**—So LXX. and Syriac. Samuel has “with all woods of cypresses;” a strange expression, probably due to confusion of similar letters, and transposition. The LXX. there has “in strength.”
**Cymbals and trumpets.**—Samuel (Hebrew) has *sistrums* (a kind of rattle) *and cymbals*. The former word only occurs there. Th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-14**
Let the sin of Uzza warn all to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, in dealing with holy things; and let none think that a good design will justify a bad action. Let the punishment of Uzza teach us not to dare to trifle with God in our approaches to him; yet let us, through Christ, come boldly to the throne of grace. If the gospel be to some a savour of death u...
Read full commentary →And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. Chidon: also called Nachon, 2.Sam.6.6. stumbled: or, shook it
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on Ark of the Covenant - first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. The Hebrew term <em>קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) - holiness</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to Importance of approaching God properly. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Chidon.**—So one MS. of LXX. Syriac and Arabic, *Rāmîn*. The *Nachon* of Samuel seems right. The Targum, Syriac, and Arabic of Samuel have, “prepared threshing floor (s),” treating nākûn as a participle.
**Put forth his hand to hold the ark.**—An explanatory paraphrase of the more ancient text, “Uzza put forth unto the ark of God, and held thereon” (Samuel).
**Stumbled.**—Or, plunged. The ma...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**27. his brethren had not many children--**(see Nu 1:22; 26:14).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-14**
Let the sin of Uzza warn all to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, in dealing with holy things; and let none think that a good design will justify a bad action. Let the punishment of Uzza teach us not to dare to trifle with God in our approaches to him; yet let us, through Christ, come boldly to the throne of grace. If the gospel be to some a savour of death u...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on Ark of the Covenant - first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. The Hebrew term <em>קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) - holiness</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to Importance of approaching God properly. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **And he smote him.**—Abridged from “and God smote him there” (Samuel).
**Because he put his hand to the ark.**—“Because he put” is in the Heb., ‘al ’asher shalah. For this Samuel has ’al hashshal, an obscure phrase, occurring nowhere else in the Old Testament. The similarity of letters in the two phrases can hardly be accidental, but whether the chronicler has given the original text of the ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-14**
Let the sin of Uzza warn all to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, in dealing with holy things; and let none think that a good design will justify a bad action. Let the punishment of Uzza teach us not to dare to trifle with God in our approaches to him; yet let us, through Christ, come boldly to the throne of grace. If the gospel be to some a savour of death u...
Read full commentary →And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day. Perezuzza: that is, The breach of Uzza
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on Ark of the Covenant - first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. The Hebrew term <em>קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) - holiness</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to Importance of approaching God properly. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Made a breach.**—Ɓrokenforťh against. The same verb recurs in 1Chronicles 14:11. (Comp. Exodus 19:22.)
**Wherefore that place is called.**—Heb., *and he* (one) *called that place.*
**To this day.**—It is not implied necessarily that the place was known by this name in the days of the Chronicles. The same phrase occurs in the parallel verse of Samuel, and the chronicler has merely given a ex...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-14**
Let the sin of Uzza warn all to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, in dealing with holy things; and let none think that a good design will justify a bad action. Let the punishment of Uzza teach us not to dare to trifle with God in our approaches to him; yet let us, through Christ, come boldly to the throne of grace. If the gospel be to some a savour of death u...
Read full commentary →And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on Ark of the Covenant - first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. The Hebrew term <em>קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) - holiness</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to Importance of approaching God properly. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **God . . . ark of God.**—Here and in 1Chronicles 13:8; 1Chronicles 13:14, &c. Samuel has Jehovah. The chronicler or his authority has avoided the frequent use of that most holy Name.
**Saying.**—Samuel, “and said.”
**How.**—*Hêk,* an Aramaic form, perhaps due to a transcriber rather than to the author.
**Shall I bring.**—Samuel, “shall come.” Two different voices of the same verb.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-14**
Let the sin of Uzza warn all to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, in dealing with holy things; and let none think that a good design will justify a bad action. Let the punishment of Uzza teach us not to dare to trifle with God in our approaches to him; yet let us, through Christ, come boldly to the throne of grace. If the gospel be to some a savour of death u...
Read full commentary →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. brought: Heb. removed
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Theological Analysis:</strong> This passage falls within the section on Ark of the Covenant - first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. The Hebrew term <em>קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) - holiness</em> is theologically significant here, pointing to Importance of approaching God properly. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Brought not . . . home.**—A different verb from that in 1Chronicles 13:12. Literally, And David caused not the ark to turn aside unto himself. Slightly abridged. (See Samuel.)
**Obed-edom the Gittite.**—As, according to 1Chronicles 26:1-4, Obed-edom was a Korhitic Levite, the term “Gittite” is generally assumed to mean native of Gathrimmon, a Levitical township (Joshua 21:24) belonging to t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-14**
Let the sin of Uzza warn all to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, in dealing with holy things; and let none think that a good design will justify a bad action. Let the punishment of Uzza teach us not to dare to trifle with God in our approaches to him; yet let us, through Christ, come boldly to the throne of grace. If the gospel be to some a savour of death u...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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</strong>—After Uzzah's death frightened David, the ark diverted to Obed-edom's home. The Hebrew <em>barak</em> ('blessed') indicates comprehensive prosperity. This Gittite Levite (15:18) properly honored the ark, receiving blessing David had s...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **With the family.**—By (near) the house. The preposition is wanting in Samuel, according to older usage.
**In his house.**—In its own house (shrine). Instead of this, Samuel has “the Gittite,” and for the concluding words, “And the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and all his house.” (Comp. 2Samuel 6:12.) As to the nature of the blessing, see 1Chronicles 26:4-8; and comp. Psalms 125
Ellicott's Commen...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**31-43. These were their cities unto the reign of David--**In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs. They were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited all claim to them, he assigned them to his own tribe of Judah (1Sa 27:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-14**
Let the sin of Uzza warn all to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, in dealing with holy things; and let none think that a good design will justify a bad action. Let the punishment of Uzza teach us not to dare to trifle with God in our approaches to him; yet let us, through Christ, come boldly to the throne of grace. If the gospel be to some a savour of death u...
Read full commentary →