1 Chronicles Chapter 13

The Ark Brought from Kiriath-Jearim

• 1Chronicles 13:1  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 enquired not at it in the days of Saul. 
• 4  And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. 

David wanted to restore the worship of God and show thanksgiving for His presence. He wanted the people to share in the worship and bring the ark back where it belonged.

Uzzah and the Ark

• 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. 
• 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. 

The law about moving the ark and the tabernacle is in Numbers 4. They were to cover the ark with a veil, use staves put through the rings that were on the ark and the priests were to carry it and not touch it. It was that holy. The worship of God is never to be taken lightly.

• 1 Chronicles 13:11  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? 

I'm pretty sure that David didn't stay mad long but finally figured out what went wrong.

• 1 Chronicles 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. 
• 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. 

Although this did turn out tragically at first, the motive here of David is to be admired. He was a worshipper of God. He loved God and wanted the have the ark back and gather the people for thanksgiving and worship. Worship of God is very holy and sacred. Although we should desire to fervently worship the Lord, we must remember the sacredness and importance of it. It is not to be taken lightly. Reverance for holy things is being lost in our own society. The law given through Moses was very strict on the carrying of the ark. The priests were to carry it on staves. No hands were to touch it. The law had to be carried out without fault.

To me I see that Jesus was the only one that kept the law perfectly. If He had not have kept the law and if He had of sinned in any way while He was in His human body, He could not have taken our place and died for our sins. He would have been flawed. He had to keep the law in all points. That way when we believe and trust in Him for our own salvation, we are granted eternal life with a new body that is eternal. There is no way we could keep the law in all points so Jesus did it for us. Now we are saved not by keeping the law but by faith in Jesus. He kept kept the law in all points.

In knowing all that though we need to respect and show reverance when we come to worship with awe and gladness realizing a high price was paid for our salvation. Do all things with reverance and respect. We are not to take it lightly or without reverence. He will forgive when we ask Him though and we must ask God to help us worship with joy but also with reverance. The Holy Spirit will guide us in all things if we are sensitive to His presence and we daily seek Him through prayer and the written word that has been provided to us.

1 Chronicles Chapter 14