1 Chronicles 13:14 kjv
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.
1 Chronicles 13:14 nkjv
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.
1 Chronicles 13:14 niv
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 had.
1 Chronicles 13:14 esv
And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had.
1 Chronicles 13:14 nlt
The Ark of God remained there in Obed-edom's house for three months, and the LORD blessed the household of Obed-edom and everything he owned.
1 Chronicles 13 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 39:2-3 | The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man... the LORD blessed... | God's presence brings prosperity. |
| Gen 39:5 | The LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of... | Blessing on household for hosting God's servant. |
| Exod 23:25 | "You shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your..." | Obedience to God brings blessing. |
| Exod 25:22 | There I will meet with you, and I will speak with you... from above the mercy | Ark as the place of God's presence and communication. |
| Lev 10:1-2 | Nadab and Abihu... offered strange fire before the LORD... and fire came out | Consequences of improper worship/handling holy things. |
| Num 4:15 | When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects... the Kohath | Prescribed method for handling holy objects (Ark). |
| Num 10:33-36 | The ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them... for them to search.. | Ark as guide, symbol of God's active presence. |
| Deut 28:1-14 | If you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God... all these blessings | Extensive blessings for obedience. |
| Josh 3:15-17 | The feet of the priests who bore the ark were dipped in the edge of the water | Ark's power demonstrated through supernatural events. |
| 1 Sam 4:3-11 | Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the | Ark as a symbol of God's presence, not a talisman. |
| 1 Sam 5:1-12 | When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it to the house of Dag | Consequences of mishandling the Ark by unholy hands. |
| 1 Sam 6:19 | He struck 50,070 men of Beth Shemesh because they looked into the ark of the | Danger of irreverence even among God's people. |
| 2 Sam 6:6-7 | Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God... and the anger of the LORD burned | Parallel account of Uzzah's death. |
| 1 Chron 15:2 | "No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD has chosen..." | Clarifies proper handling after Obed-Edom's period. |
| 1 Chron 15:13-14 | "Because you did not carry it the first time... for the LORD our God broke out | David's acknowledgment of prior error. |
| 1 Chron 26:4-5 | Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn... for God blessed him. | Confirms Obed-Edom's blessing of large family. |
| Psa 1:3 | He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in | Metaphor for blessedness, prosperity through connection to God. |
| Prov 10:22 | The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. | God's blessing brings true wealth. |
| Isa 61:9 | All who see them will recognize that they are a people the LORD has blessed. | Visible blessing identifies God's people. |
| Matt 10:41 | He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s | Blessing for those who receive God's messengers/presence. |
| 2 Cor 6:16 | For we are the temple of the living God... I will dwell in them and walk among | New Covenant indwelling presence of God. |
| Heb 13:2 | Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained | Blessing for hospitality, hosting, and care. |
1 Chronicles 13 verses
1 Chronicles 13 14 Meaning
This verse describes a pivotal moment in David's initial attempt to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. After Uzzah's death for improperly touching the Ark, David became afraid and instead left the Ark at the house of Obed-Edom. For three months, the Ark of God resided there, and during this period, the LORD visibly and abundantly blessed Obed-Edom, his entire household, and all his possessions. This divine favor demonstrated that the Ark's presence brought blessing when reverenced appropriately, serving as a powerful sign to David.
1 Chronicles 13 14 Context
Chapter 13 of 1 Chronicles narrates David's initial, flawed attempt to move the Ark of God from Kiriath-Jearim to Jerusalem. After consulting with the leaders, David gathers a large assembly, enthusiastic about bringing the Ark to the newly established capital. However, they make a critical error by transporting the Ark on a new cart, instead of by the prescribed Levitical method of carrying it on poles (as detailed in Num 4:15). When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark and was struck down by God's anger for his irreverent act. This unforeseen judgment terrified David, who, out of fear, abandoned the plan to bring the Ark further, opting instead to leave it at the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. This verse then describes the result of the Ark's three-month stay there. Historically, this event emphasizes the critical importance of observing God's precise instructions, especially concerning sacred objects and worship, contrasting human good intentions with divine order.
1 Chronicles 13 14 Word analysis
- Thus: (כֵּן - ken) – Implies a direct consequence or result of the preceding event, David's decision to leave the Ark. It shows that the decision had a specific, observable outcome.
- the ark of God: (אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים - aron ha’Elohim) – The chest symbolizing God’s presence, His covenant with Israel, and His throne on earth. This highlights the sacredness and divine power associated with it. The phrase emphasizes that it is God’s ark, not merely an object.
- remained: (וַיֵּשֶׁב - vayyeshev from יָשַׁב - yashav) – To dwell, settle, inhabit, remain. Suggests a peaceful, fixed residence, not just a temporary stopover. It implies that God's presence, though in a new, unideal location, was settled.
- with the house of: (עִם־בֵּית - ʿim-beit) – Literally "with the house of," indicating the entire family, household, and dependents, not just the individual Obed-Edom. The blessing extended corporately.
- Obed-Edom: (עֹבֵד אֱדֹם - ʿOved Edom) – Means "servant of Edom" or "servant of God/Lord" (if 'Edom' is a variation of 'Adon'). He is described as a Gittite, possibly a Levite from Gath-Rimmon (a Kohathite city) or originally from the Philistine city of Gath who became a proselyte. His willing reception of the Ark, despite the recent tragedy of Uzzah, highlights his faith or at least obedience. The Chronicler later identifies his descendants as Levite gatekeepers (1 Chron 26:4-8), reinforcing his role within the Levitical system.
- in his house: (בְּבֵיתוֹ - b'veito) – Explicitly states the location: inside Obed-Edom’s dwelling. This highlights the intimate nature of the blessing.
- three months: (שְׁלֹשָׁה חֳדָשִׁים - shlosha khodashim) – A relatively short, yet significant, period. Long enough to observe undeniable, consistent blessing, making its effect clear and not coincidental.
- And the Lord: (וַיהוָה - vayhovah) – Emphasizes that the blessing came directly from the Sovereign God (Yahweh), not from any human effort or mere chance.
- blessed: (בֵּרַךְ - berek, or בָּרַךְ - barakh) – Implies divine favor, prosperity, increase, well-being, and fruitfulness in all areas of life. It’s an act of God’s beneficent power.
- all that he had: (וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ - v'chol asher lo) – Comprehensive in scope, including family members, livestock, crops, possessions, health, and general well-being. This reinforces the visible and widespread nature of the divine favor.
Words-group analysis:
- "Thus the ark of God remained with the house of Obed-Edom in his house three months": This phrase sets the stage for God's demonstration. It shows that even a seemingly forced and temporary housing of the Ark, if accompanied by respectful reverence, leads to unexpected divine presence. The contrast with Uzzah’s fate is implied; while Uzzah’s act led to death due to disrespect, Obed-Edom's acceptance brought life and favor.
- "And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that he had": This part reveals the profound impact of God's dwelling place. The visible, tangible blessing served as irrefutable proof to David that God was not punishing all interaction with the Ark, but demanding specific, reverent adherence to His prescribed ways. This blessing confirmed God's nature as one who desires to bless His people through His presence when it is treated with sanctity.
1 Chronicles 13 14 Bonus section
- Obed-Edom's Continued Blessing: The Chronicler later confirms the extensive and ongoing blessing on Obed-Edom, recording his descendants as a prominent family of gatekeepers (1 Chron 26:4-8). His children and grandchildren, described as "mighty men of valor for service," serve the Temple, showing the long-term impact of honoring God's presence.
- Chronicler's Theology: The Chronicler strongly emphasizes the link between obedience to God's commands (especially regarding the cult and Temple service) and divine blessing or judgment. This verse perfectly illustrates this theology: proper handling of God's presence leads to abundant blessing, whereas irreverent actions lead to wrath.
- God's Patience and Pedagogy: This episode demonstrates God’s patience and His willingness to teach His people through immediate, tangible consequences. The "three months" period served as a divine classroom for David, allowing him to understand the precise nature of God's requirements for holiness.
1 Chronicles 13 14 Commentary
1 Chronicles 13:14 is a verse rich in theological lessons, particularly regarding the nature of God's presence and His standards for worship. Following Uzzah's tragic death, David’s initial enthusiasm for bringing the Ark was replaced by fear. The decision to leave the Ark with Obed-Edom, perhaps out of apprehension or a need for clarity, became a providential turning point. The explicit mention of the "three months" highlights a duration long enough to observe and attribute the abundant blessings directly to the Ark’s presence, distinguishing divine favor from mere coincidence.
This verse presents a powerful contrast to Uzzah’s judgment: while human innovation and irreverence bring divine wrath, proper reverence and a spirit of welcome to God's presence bring immense favor. The blessings bestowed upon Obed-Edom were not just spiritual, but tangible – impacting his household and possessions. This demonstrates God’s goodness and His desire to pour out blessings on those who honor His presence and sacred things, even when they may not fully grasp all the intricacies of divine law. David, upon observing this dramatic turn of events, was then prompted to re-evaluate his initial approach and correctly understand that God desired His presence to dwell among His people, but on His terms and according to His established protocols. The lesson extends beyond the Ark to principles of obedience and seeking God's face in worship and service.