Day 73 Reading Schedule: 1 Chronicles 13-17

1 Chronicles 13: The Transport of the Ark and the Death of Uzza

[Overview]

The text begins with a record of King David's efforts to focus the attention of the people of Israel on religion based on his solid political foundation. This chapter, which mentions the first attempt at religious ministry in this context, describes an incident caused by David's mistake. In other words, it records the incident in which he suffered a setback by acting against the rules during the process of transporting the Ark of the Covenant. It consists of the first half (verses 1-5) that mentions David's discussion to attract the attention of Israel, the middle half (verses 6-8) that records the scene in which he embarks on the plan according to the rules, and the second half (verses 12-14) that mentions the sudden death of Uzza due to carelessness (verses 9-11) and the moving of the Ark to the house of Obed-Edom. The transport of the Ark of the Covenant, which is the subject of this chapter, was none other than the pious act in which Israel sought God. This Ark of God is a sacred object called by God’s name, a visible throne where His glory and His power were present, symbolizing God’s revelation and rule. Therefore, David’s act of moving the Ark of the Covenant was an expression of his faith in giving God full authority over his rule, and this is why David and his dynasty were able to receive blessings. 

[Explanation] 

The first thing David, who was anointed as king by the elders of Israel, attempted to do was to restore the relationship between God and the people of Israel. This chapter records David’s attempt to move the Ark of the Covenant after ascending to the throne and the unfortunate events that occurred during the transport of the Ark. 

1 Chronicles 14: David’s Reputation 

[Overview] 

This book mentions special content in the context of a general description of David’s reign. This chapter is particularly significant because it is located between chapter 13, which is about the judgment of God for moving the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem in a way that was against the rules, and chapter 15, which is about moving the Ark of the Covenant again in a way that was against the rules. The same content as this chapter is recorded in 2 Samuel 5, but the writer of Samuel considered the content of this chapter to be a political victory, so he moved it to the latter half of David’s reign. However, the writer of Chronicles, on the other hand, recorded the content of this chapter in the early days of David’s reign in order to emphasize God’s blessing that granted David prosperity despite his actions that were against the rules. And then, in chapter 15, he mentions the fact that the Ark of the Covenant was moved again in a way that was against the rules, explaining why the blessing came to King David. The content of this chapter is composed of the first half (verses 1-7) that mentions King David's great prosperity in Jerusalem, the middle part (verses 8-12) that describes the scene of defeating the Philistine army under God's guidance immediately after his ascension to the throne, and the second half (verses 13-17) that records the annihilation of the Philistine army that invaded again through a surprise attack. 

[Explanation]

This chapter reiterates the events already recorded in 2 Samuel 5. Despite the sudden death of Uzza while the Ark of the Covenant was being transported, David maintained his position as a ruler and led Israel smoothly. In other words, this chapter lists the prosperity of David, who was used as God's tool, the children he had after moving to the new capital, Jerusalem, and the events of defeating the Philistines twice. 

 1 Chronicles 15: The Ark Moved to Jerusalem

[Summary]

This chapter records the scene of the Ark of the Covenant being moved from Obed-Edom’s house to Jerusalem three months after Uzza died instantly from touching the Ark of the Covenant. David learned from the mistake he made the first time he tried to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and tried to move the Ark of the Covenant this time as specified in the regulations. That is why the writer of this book describes the contents of this incident in relatively detail and wrote this chapter with priestly interest. This chapter consists of the first half (verses 1-15) that describes King David’s thorough preparations to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, the middle half (verses 16-24) that describes the service of the Levites who assisted in moving the Ark of the Covenant, and the second half (verses 25-29) that reports the praise of the entire Israelite community for successfully bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The theme of this chapter is that King David thoroughly devoted all his efforts to follow God’s method so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past, and as a result, God’s power and great authority were amazingly displayed both inside and outside his kingdom. 

[Explanation] 

When the kingdom was stabilized by God’s grace, David wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem again. David learned many lessons from the mistakes he made when he first tried to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Therefore, in this chapter, he tried to move the Ark of the Covenant according to the regulations that God had specified. That is, he called the Levites together, sanctified them, and had them carry the Ark on their shoulders. This chapter records the contents related to the Ark of the Covenant being moved to the City of David. 

1 Chronicles 16: David’s Sacrifice and Thanksgiving 

[Summary] 

This chapter shows David’s continued pious acts after he moved the Ark of God to Jerusalem with the people. First, David offered a peace offering before the ark of God (verses 1-3). Then he organized a choir (verses 4-6), composed a psalm of thanksgiving, and had the choir offer praise (verses 7-36). Finally, David established other systems of service to God (verses 37-43). This chapter is a record of the excitement and joy that the ark of the covenant was finally safely placed in the City of David, and the praise of the Levite choir and all the people spread throughout Jerusalem. 

[Explanation] 

The ark of the covenant that David had longed for was finally placed in Jerusalem. This chapter records the thanksgiving and praise after the ark was moved. David’s thanksgiving and praise mentioned in this chapter are also recorded in the Psalms (see Psalm 96, Psalm 105-106). The overall atmosphere of this chapter is one of joy and excitement. 

 1 Chronicles 17: Prophet Nathan's Messianic Prophecy

[Overview]

This chapter is the culmination of David's religious ministry, and it records the covenant God gave to King David. It consists of the first half (verses 1-6) that highlights God's opposition to David's intention to build a temple on his own, the middle half (verses 7-15) that emphasizes God's covenant that He will establish David's dynasty forever, and the second half (verses 16-27) that describes David's prayer of thanksgiving in gratitude for God's promise. King David, who had sacrifices and praises before the ark of God, goes one step further and wants to build a permanent house, a temple, where God will reside.

[Explanation]

David, who had moved the ark of God's covenant to his own castle and offered thanks, now desired to build a temple for God. David revealed this intention to the prophet Nathan. However, instead of blocking David's plan to build a temple, God promised that He would produce the Messiah through David.