131 Then David consulted with the captains of the thousands and the hundreds , even with every leader . 2 David said to all the assembly of Israel , "If it seems good to you, and if it is from the Lord our God , let us send everywhere to our kinsmen who remain in all the land of Israel , also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their cities with pasture lands , that they may meet with us; 3 and let us bring back the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul ." 4 Then all the assembly said that they would do so , for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people .
5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath , to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim . 6 David and all Israel went up to Baalah , that is, to Kiriath-jearim , which belongs to Judah , to bring up from there the ark of God , the Lord who is enthroned above the cherubim , where His name is called . 7 They carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab , and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart . 8 David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might , even with songs and with lyres , harps , tambourines , cymbals and with trumpets .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 13:1-8
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 13:1-5
(Read 1 Chronicles 13:1-5)
David said not, What magnificent thing shall I do now? or, What pleasant thing? but, What pious thing? that he might have the comfort and benefit of that sacred oracle. Let us bring the ark to us, that it may be a blessing to us. Those who honour God, profit themselves. It is the wisdom of those setting out in the world, to take God's ark with them. Those are likely to go on in the favour of God, who begin in the fear of God.
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 13:6-14
(Read 1 Chronicles 13:6-14)
Let the sin of Uzza warn all to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, in dealing with holy things; and let none think that a good design will justify a bad action. Let the punishment of Uzza teach us not to dare to trifle with God in our approaches to him; yet let us, through Christ, come boldly to the throne of grace. If the gospel be to some a savour of death unto death, as the ark was to Uzza, yet let us receive it in the love of it, and it will be to us a savour of life unto life.