1Chronicles 13:1 ¶ And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.
1Chronicles 13:2 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:
1Chronicles 13:3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.
1Chronicles 13:4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
1Chronicles 13:5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.
Once the kingdom was unified under his rule and he was established in Jerusalem, David expressed his desire to all his military captains and leaders that they call for all the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites to come and participate in transporting the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem if the LORD so willed. It is noted that the ark had basically been ignored during Saul’s rule.
Everyone agreed with David. So he gathered all the people from Shihor of Egypt in the south to the entering of Hemath in the north to transport the ark from Kirjathjearim where it had remained since being returned by the Philistines. (See 1Samuel 6-7 for the background story.)
1Chronicles 13:6 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.
1Chronicles 13:7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.
1Chronicles 13:8 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.
David and all Israel gathered at Kirjathjearim in Judah to accompany the ark to Jerusalem. They put the ark of “God the LORD” on a new cart after taking it out of the house of Abinadab. Uzza and Ahio were designated to drive the cart. David and all the people played their instruments—harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets—and sang as they began the journey to Jerusalem.
1Chronicles 13:9 ¶ And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.
1Chronicles 13:10 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.
When they reached the threshingfloor of Chidon, the oxen stumbled. Uzza instinctively reached out to steady the ark. His action provoked the LORD’s anger and He killed him.
This is a prime example showing that our good intentions aren’t always pleasing to the LORD. He is more concerned that our actions reflect obedience to His word.
1Chronicles 13:11 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.
1Chronicles 13:12 And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?
1Chronicles 13:13 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.
1Chronicles 13:14 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.
David was displeased with the LORD’s action against Uzza, and named the place to commemorate his death. David was afraid of God and wondered how he could safely get the ark to Jerusalem. Until he could be sure of how to transport the ark, they decided to leave it with the family of Obededom. It remained with that family for three months, and the family experienced great blessing during that time.
Principle: Living in the presence of the LORD always results in blessing!
Though David was probably ignorant, the priests should have known how to go about moving the ark in accordance with the specific instructions the LORD had given Moses.
Exodus 25:14–15 “And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.”
Numbers 4:15 “And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die.”
Deuteronomy 10:8 “At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.”
I am reminded that the ark represented the presence of God among the people. God had already proven through many miracles that He was all- powerful over creation and all other “gods.” Uzzah probably meant well, but his actions indicated that he had neglected his study of the law of Moses. Even though he was a Levite, he had not taken his responsibility to care for the ark seriously enough to make sure that he was caring for it in accordance with God’s will. The LORD demands that we yield to Him as THE authority in our lives if we expect to enjoy His blessing, protection and provision.
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Luke 11:28 “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
Insights from Guzik:
“It is hard to receive it in our consumer-oriented culture, but worship isn't all about what pleases us. It's all about what pleases God.”
“We are often tempted to judge a worship experience by how it makes us feel. But when we realize that worship is about pleasing God, we are driven to His word so we can know how He wants to be worshipped.”
1Chronicles 14:1 ¶ Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.
1Chronicles 14:2 And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.
Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers to David along with prime cedar timber and skilled masons and carpenters to build him a palace. David took this as another sign that the LORD had firmly established him as king over Israel before the nations.
Though there is no mention of an alliance, it would make sense to me that some sort of agreement must have been made between the two kings. Tyre was the kingdom of the Phoenicians in the area of today’s Lebanon. It was known for its great cedar trees and expertise in the shipping industry among other things.
The IVP OT Commentary adds some insight concerning the choice of cedar for a palace: “Beautiful grain, sweet-smelling aroma and durability combined to make cedar the wood of choice for most temples and palaces of the ancient world. High resin content inhibited the growth of fungus.”
1Chronicles 14:3 And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.
1Chronicles 14:4 Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
1Chronicles 14:5 And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
1Chronicles 14:6 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
1Chronicles 14:7 And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.
Sadly, it is note that David took even more wives in Jerusalem. Verses 4-7 give the names of his children that were born in Jerusalem.
Deuteronomy 17:15–17 “Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee….Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away….”
It seems that though David had great faith in the LORD and often sought His will and direction, he ignored God’s command not to multiply wives and followed the customs of other kings. He would certainly suffer the consequences of that choice!
Guzik adds this note: “Chronicles makes no mention of David’s sin with Bathsheba, but after the murder of her husband she was one of the more wives that David added to his household in Jerusalem.”
The following events are also in the record of 2Samuel 5.
1Chronicles 14:8 ¶ And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them.
1Chronicles 14:9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
1Chronicles 14:10 And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.
1Chronicles 14:11 So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.
Once the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they came up to the valley of Rephaim, the land of the giants, to confront him in war. They knew David’s reputation as a warrior. They figured they had better deal with him immediately before he was able to get more powerful.
David sought the LORD’s will concerning what to do. The LORD told him to go and fight the Philistines, and He would deliver them into David’s hand. David and his troops met the Philistines at Baalperazim in battle and defeated them. The defeat is pictured as water bursting forth from a break in whatever was holding it back. He gave all glory to the LORD for giving him the victory.
The IVP Old Testament Commentary added this insight on the place the Philistine’s chose to meet David in battle: “…the Valley of Rephaim turns east-southeast toward the area between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. It joins the north-south road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and then heads northeast into Jerusalem. This would be a strategic location for the Philistines to cut David off from potential reinforcements from Judah.”
Courson made an insightful observation: “Whenever a person is anointed for a task, he can expect the enemy to gather forces and attack him. David was no exception. The greater the anointing, the more intense the attack. If the enemy senses you are moving out in any area of ministry or any sphere of service, he will not take it sitting down.”
1Chronicles 14:12 And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
1Chronicles 14:13 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.
1Chronicles 14:14 Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
1Chronicles 14:15 And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
David and his troops burned all the idol images that they found on the battlefield.
The Philistines were not to be deterred and once again gathered in the valley of Rephaim. David again sought the LORD’s will concerning what to do; he didn’t just assume to know what to do based on past experience. This time the LORD told him not to go out and meet the enemy, but to go behind them and approach from a stand of mulberry/balsam trees. When he heard the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, he was to attack and know that the LORD went before them.
So what was the sound of marching in the trees? I believe it was the forces of the angels going before them.
Another great insight from Courson: “If I were instructed to wait until I heard the sound of leaves blowing in the wind before I did something, I think my tendency would be to say, ‘How will I really know that’s You Lord, and not just normal wind?’ This is a question we often ask. Events transpire and we wonder whether they are the result of our prayer or simply the result of natural circumstance. The answer, however, is that the Lord is in just as much control of natural circumstances as He is of supernatural ones. Therefore, we can rest in His sovereignty over every situation.”
1Chronicles 14:16 David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.
1Chronicles 14:17 And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.
David did exactly as the LORD had command him and slaughtered the Philistines from Gibeon to Gazer.
News of these decisive victories over the Philistines quickly spread to the surrounding nations, and the LORD caused all of them to fear David.