Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

1 Chronicles 13 Devotional

Good Intentions on a New Cart

“Thus the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he owned.”1 Chronicles 13:14 (BSB)

David's plan for the ark looks right in every way. He consults his leaders, invites all Israel, and wants to go ahead only if it is of the LORD (13:1-2). He even names what went wrong under Saul: they did not inquire of God (13:3). They celebrate before God with all their might (13:8). But they carry the ark on a new cart, and when the oxen stumble, Uzzah takes hold of it, and the LORD strikes him down (13:9-10).

David is angry, then afraid, asking how he can ever bring the ark home (13:11-12). Wanting to seek God is not the same as asking how he is to be approached (15:13), and the LORD enthroned between the cherubim is holy (13:6). Yet the chapter closes on blessing. The ark stays three months with Obed-edom's family, and the LORD blesses everything he owns (13:14). Hebrews still calls believers to worship with reverence and awe, for God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:28-29). His presence is both holy and good.

To think about: Do you tend to come to God with enthusiasm but little reverence, or with reverence but little joy, and how does this chapter speak to that?

About 1 Chronicles 13: Uzzah and the Ark

David leads the whole nation in setting out to move God’s ark from Kiriath-jearim on a newly built cart amid joyful music. When Uzzah grabs the ark, the LORD strikes him dead, and David, angry and afraid, leaves the ark with Obed-edom, whose household God blesses for three months.

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