1.
And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.
2.
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:
3.
And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we inquired not at it in the days of Saul.
1 Chronicles 13:3. For we enquired not at it in the days of Saul— For we consulted him not in the days of Saul. Houbigant.
4.
And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
5.
So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim.
1 Chronicles 13:5. Shihor of Egypt— The Nile, according to Dr. Shaw. The LXX render it, from the borders of Egypt. See Travels, p. 283.
6.
And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath-jearim, 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.
1 Chronicles 13:6. The ark of God the Lord, that dwelleth, &c.— The ark of the Lord God, who sitteth upon the cherubim, where his name is invoked. Houbigant.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, No sooner was David gone up from Hebron, and had secured the fortress of Jerusalem, where he resolved to take up his future abode, than he was solicitous to raise the neglected ark from its obscurity, and to bring it to a more honourable place.
1. He proposes the matter to his great men and officers for their advice and concurrence. They had neglected the ark in the days of Saul, when religion went greatly to decay. It would be now the stability of the kingdom, and the happiness of the land, to enjoy the divine presence and favour; and therefore, if it seemed good to them, as he doubted not they would approve the motion, they would without delay collect the priests and Levites, and the principal men of the land, to attend the solemnity of bringing up the ark to Jerusalem. Note; (1.) To have God with us, should be our first and chief desire, as the foundation of all true felicity. (2.) Respect paid to those whom we might command, engages their consent to our wishes, and is the way to be obeyed with cheerfulness.
2. The proposal was very much applauded; the congregation assembled from one end of the land to the other, and with great joy began the procession. Note; (1.) It is matter of unspeakable joy to true Israelites, to see the drooping cause of God revive. (2.) Widen princes are promoters of godliness, it should stir up ministers and people to correspond with their pious designs.
2nd, The error they committed in removing the ark, has been already observed, 2 Samuel 6 as well as the death of Uzza, and the interruption of the solemnity consequent thereupon. It may teach us, 1. Careful attention in the divine prescription, and not to make light of the least commandment. 2. That ignorance in those who minister before the ark, is especially criminal. 3. That in the midst of every earthly joy, we have need to tremble. 4. That discouraging providences are apt to cool our zeal in the way of duty; so that, like David in the present instance, we stop short. 5. The same word of God, like the ark to Uzzah and Obed-edom, is to one man the savour of life unto life, to another the savour of death unto death.
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 Perez-uzza 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 Obed-edom the Gittite.
14.
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.