1 Chronicles 13-16 | David Restores Worship to Israel

1 Chronicles 13-16 | David Restores Worship to Israel

1 Chronicles 13-16
David Restores Worship to Israel

I. Ch 13:1-4 David seeks to restore worship.

Then David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. 2 And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is of the Lord our God, let us send out to our brethren everywhere who are left in all the land of Israel, and with them to the priests and Levites who are in their cities and their common-lands, that they may gather together to us; 3 and let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since 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.[1]

  1. The Ark and the tabernacle




    1. The Ark of the Covenant was the most significant item next to the Scriptures in Israel.
      1. This Ark of the Covenant was an overlaid gold box that had a lid with angels on top covering the jar of manna, the Ten Commandments, and the rod of Aaron that miraculously budded.
      2. The Ark was also the place where the blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement for the sins of the nation.
      3. The Ark was in the most holy place of the tabernacle, and it is where the shekinah glory of God dwelt.

        Exodus 24:15-1715 Then Moses went up into the mountain, and a cloud covered the mountain. 16 Now the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.

      4. It was before the Ark that the High Priest would come yearly and offer the blood for the sin of the nation.
  2. To mishandle the Ark or not regard coming near the Lord was a dangerous venture.
    1. When the sons of Aaron brought profane fire before the Lord, they were consumed by the fire of the Lord.
    2. When the Philistines captured the Ark, they suffered from plagues.
  3. David unites the nation in worship.
    1. The Ark of the Covenant had been neglected for twenty years.
    2. Israel had it captured by the Philistines and held for seven months before they returned it to Kirjath Jearim, where it was kept in the house of Abinadab, a Levite.



    3. Prior to being captured, it was kept in the tabernacle at Shiloh for roughly 350 years.
    4. The Ark was lost in battle and then returned by the Philistines during the days of Eli.
    5. David desires to unite the ark with the tabernacle so that Israel may inquire of the Lord.
    6. David’s desire to bring the Ark into the Capital was good and aligned with God’s will.
    7. The presence of God is what all of us need to experience more in our lives.
      1. It brings wholeness, peace, joy, guidance, and hope.
      2. It is our prayer and desire that every time you come for corporate worship, you encounter the presence of our wonderful God in worship, fellowship, and teaching.

II. vv. 5-8 Joyful anticipation

5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor in Egypt to as far as the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath Jearim. 6 And David and all Israel went up to Baalah, to Kirjath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who dwells between the cherubim, where His name is proclaimed. 7 So they carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. 8 Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets.

  1. Note how v. 6 emphasizes that the Lord dwelt between the Cherubim.
  2. There was unity, excitement, and worship.
    1. This was a grand plan that would revive the nation spiritually.
  3. Yet, the party was about to become a funeral.

III. vv. 9-12 God is angry with Israel.

9 And when they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10 Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God. 11 And David became angry because of the Lord’s outbreak against Uzza; therefore that place is called Perez Uzza to this day. 12 David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God to me?”

  1. What went wrong that caused God to strike a well-intentioned man?
    1. Was this an indiscriminate act of God? NO
  2. A detail in the text gives us the answer to what went wrong.
    1. It is found in v. 7, where we read that they carried the Ark of God on a new cart, and then in v. 10, where Uzza steadies the cart.
      1. At first reading, you may think what is God doing, but a closer look at Scripture says that there were two mistakes that were made by David and his men.
      2. The Ark was to be carried, not transported, on a cart (Exod. 25:10-22).
      3. The second mistake was that the Ark was holy and was not to be touched (Num. 4:15-20).
  3. A Philistine plan
    1. Where did the cart idea come from?
    2. The Philistines

      1 Samuel 6:7- 8 7 Now therefore, make a new cart, take two milk cows which have never been yoked, and hitch the cows to the cart; and take their calves home, away from them. 8 Then take the ark of the Lord and set it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you are returning to Him as a trespass offering in a chest by its side. Then send it away, and let it go.

    3. The Philistines had been suffering from plagues since the capture of the Ark seven months earlier, and they wanted to know how to return it to Israel.
      1. Their priests and diviners gave the counsel that sent the Ark back on a cart.
    4. Israel ignored the plain instruction of God, the biblical traditions of their fathers, and allowed the world around them to set the model for bringing the emblem of the presence of God into their midst.
    5. We need to be careful that we do not adopt worldly methods to accomplish spiritual goals and objectives.

      Luke 16:15 For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
  4. v. 12 David became angry with God.
    1. People who disobey God’s Word often get angry when they suffer the consequences.
    2. God is faithful to His Word, even the part of His Word that promises consequences.
    3. Clearly, this was an opportunity to learn the importance of obedience.

IV. vv. 13-14 Blessing upon Obed-Edom.

13 So David would not move the ark with him into the City of David, but took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 14 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. David realizes that to go any further in this venture would have been a failure to acknowledge the Lord’s displeasure.
  2. So, the Ark is kept by Obed-Edom.
  3. The Lord will bless every house that welcomes the presence of God into its midst.

V. Ch 14:1-2 David is welcomed to the throne.

1 Chronicles 14:1 1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house. 2 So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.

  1. Hiram of Tyre sent builders and building supplies to David as a throne-welcoming present.
  2. We will see that this king to the North welcomes David to the throne, whereas the kingdom to the West opts for war.

VI. vv. 3-7 David disobeys God’s Word.

3 Then David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David begot more sons and daughters. 4 And these are the names of his children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,  7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

  1. Scripture clearly forbade the kings of Israel from multiplying wives (Deut. 17:15-20).
  2. The painful lesson that David will learn about obedience.
    1. It was David’s lust for women that led him to make his greatest mistakes.
    2. David suffered much grief and pain in his family.
    3. The betrayal of Absalom and Ahithophel is linked to God’s judgment for his failure to control his lust.
    4. Failing to obey the Word of God always brings trouble and pain.
  3. Just because you can does not mean you should!
    1. David had the culture of the day as an example, not to mention generations of this course of action.
    2. David should have allowed the Word of God to be established in his life regarding this commandment.
  4. God is gracious.
    1. We see that David reaped the consequences of his sin, yet God still showed grace to him.

VII. vv. 8-12 David inquires of the Lord.

8 Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them. 9 Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.” 11 So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 12 And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.

  1. The Philistines came to fight David upon taking the throne.
    1. They probably took offense in light of the fact that he lived in their territory while fleeing from Saul.
    2. David inquired of the Lord and did not presume to know what to do.
    3. We must learn to inquire of the Lord for the decisions of our lives.
  2. James commands us to inquire.

    James 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”

  3. James 4:14a Realize you lack control. Be humble.

    James 4:14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow….
    1. What is it that you really have control over? Nothing.
    2. You could not take your next breath if God did not grant it to you.
    3. We fail when we think that our learning, etc., is going to make a change.
  4. James 4:14b Realize your life is temporary.

    James 4:14 For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
    1. Our lives are passing away, yet we can do things that will last for eternity.
    2. We need to redeem time.
  5. James 4:15 Seek God’s plan for your life. Realize God has a plan.

    James 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
    1. Is this the drive and desire of your life, to be found in the will of God every moment of the day?
  6. James16-17 The sin of not seeking.

    James 4:16-17 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
    1. Arrogant boasting
      1. This is because we feel WE can lead our lives better than God, who knows all.
    2. Evil
      1. The word (pon-ay-ra)-evil means wicked or bad, and that certainly is the idea that is communicated in this verse, but it can also carry the meaning of annoyance, hardship, and full of labor.
      2. When we go outside of God’s will, we will find how miserable life can be. We will be walking in the dark.
    3. Sinful
      1. If you are not walking in the will of God, you need to stop and see what changes He would have you make.

VIII. vv. 13-16 The Philistines attack again.

13 Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley. 14 Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. 15 “And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer.

  1. Just because you have fought a battle once and been victorious does not mean you are finished with that enemy.
  2. We always make a mistake when we try to make a program out of a previous victory or encounter.
  3. God told them to wait until they heard an army marching on the tops of the trees.
    1. The picture is that we need to wait until the Lord marches into battle before stepping out.
    2. What a great encouragement it is to consider the Lord fighting for us.

IX. v. 17 The Lord establishes David.

17 Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

  1. The Lord is the one who established David.

X. Ch 15:1-11 Obedience with the ark.

1 Chronicles 15:1-11 1 David built houses for himself in the City of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the Lord has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.” 3 And David gathered all Israel together at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord to its place, which he had prepared for it. 4 Then David assembled the children of Aaron and the Levites: 5 of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and one hundred and twenty of his brethren; 6 of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and two hundred and twenty of his brethren; 7 of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and one hundred and thirty of his brethren; 8 of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and two hundred of his brethren; 9 of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and eighty of his brethren; 10 of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and one hundred and twelve of his brethren. 11And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.

  1. David seeks the Lord in his second attempt to move the Ark.
    1. He didn’t give up.
    2. He sought the Lord.
    3. He had the passion to worship as God commanded.
  2. This time, David is clear that the Ark must be moved according to the Lord’s instructions.
  3. David organizes the priests to fulfill their God-given task.

XI. vv. 12-15 The Levites sanctify themselves.

12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. 13 For because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.” 14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel. 15 And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord.

  1. David acknowledges the previous sin of not obeying the Word of God.
  2. The priests sanctify themselves from those things that would defile.
  3. When we worship the Lord, we must do it according to the Word of God.

XII. vv. 16-26 The priority of worship.

16 Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy. 17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of their brethren, the sons of Merari, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18 and with them their brethren of the second rank: Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers; 19 the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were to sound the cymbals of bronze; 20 Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with strings according to Alamoth; 21 Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah, to direct with harps on the Sheminith; 22 Chenaniah, leader of the Levites, was instructor in charge of the music, because he was skillful; 23 Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark; 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God; and Obed-Edom and Jehiah, doorkeepers for the ark. 25 So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom with joy. 26 And so it was, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bulls and seven rams.

  1. David appoints a praise team.
    1. This is the praise team, which included singers, cymbals, stringed instruments, harps, and trumpets.
  2. The Lord is looking for those who will worship in Spirit and truth.
    1. Worship is essential when the people of God gather in the presence of God.
    2. Worship is all about finite man giving glory, honor, and praise to the King of kings, Lord of lords, and creator of the universe and the redeemer of souls.
  3. Scripture calls us to worship the Lord.

    Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

  4. Paul and Silas worshipped in their persecution. Their deliverance was real and literal, but for us it also stands as a metaphor of how the Lord sets us free from things that bind us when we worship.

    Acts 16:22-26 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

XIII. vv. 27-29 Worship is mocked.

27 David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music master with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. 28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps. 29 And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music; and she despised him in her heart.

  1. David fits in with the crowd, and Michal despises him.
    1. We shouldn’t be surprised by those who view our love and zeal for the Lord as contemptible behavior.
    2. Remember how Mary was treated by Judas when she poured the bottle of spikenard perfume on Jesus. He declared, “Why this waste?”

XIV. Ch 16:1-3 Offerings were made unto the Lord.

1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. 3 Then he distributed to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins.

  1. Burnt offerings – this would be an animal offering that would be fully consumed on the altar to the Lord.
    1. No portion would return to the worshipper.
  2. Peace offerings – this would be an offering that the Lord would receive, and the worshipper would take home.
    1. It reflected the fellowship that God was having with the worshipper.

XV. vv. 4-7 Worship is appointed.

4 And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel: 5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, and Obed-Edom: Jeiel with stringed instruments and harps, but Asaph made music with cymbals; 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests regularly blew the trumpets before the ark of the covenant of God.

  1. Worship would include three distinctions.
    1. Commemorate – remembers the good works of God.
    2. Thanks – a response of gratitude for the specific works God has done.
    3. Praise – lifting up the name of the Lord for who He is.
  2. v. 7 David writes a song of worship.

    7 On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the Lord:

  3. This Song is a composite of Psalms 105:1-15, 96:1-13, and 106:1, 47-48.

XVI. vv. 8-22 A call to remember God’s good works.

  1. Worship is about declaring God’s worth

    8 Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! 9 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! 10 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! 11 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore! 12 Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, 13 O seed of Israel His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones! 14 He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. 15 Remember His covenant forever, The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, 16 The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac, 17 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant, 18 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan As the allotment of your inheritance,” 19 When you were few in number, Indeed very few, and strangers in it. 20 When they went from one nation to another, And from one kingdom to another people, 21 He permitted no man to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, 22 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.”

  2. vv. 23-34 A call to speak of the greatness of the LORD.

    23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. 24 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. 25 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. 27 Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and gladness are in His place. 28 Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength. 29 Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! 30 Tremble before Him, all the earth. The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved. 31 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” 32 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it. 33 Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord, For He is coming to judge the earth. 34 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

  3. vv. 35-36 Closing prayer.

    35 And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation; Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles, To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise.” 36 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting! And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.

XVII. vv. 37-43 Consistent worship

37 So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister before the ark regularly, as every day’s work required; 38 and Obed-Edom with his sixty-eight brethren, including Obed-Edom the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah, to be gatekeepers; 39 and Zadok the priest and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place that was at Gibeon, 40 to offer burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the Law of the Lord which He commanded Israel; 41 and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to the Lord, because His mercy endures forever; 42 and with them Heman and Jeduthun, to sound aloud with trumpets and cymbals and the musical instruments of God. Now the sons of Jeduthun were gatekeepers. 43 Then all the people departed, every man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.

  1. Our meetings, conversations, and meditations should be marked by consistent and regular worship.

XVIII.  Conclusion

  1. These chapters show us the actions of a man who could be both commended and corrected for his actions.
  2. When David inquired of the Lord and searched the Scriptures, things went well.
  3. When David acted on impulse or according to the status quo, things did not go well.
  4. One overarching takeaway is that David was passionate about getting the nation to worship the Lord regularly.

[1]  All Scripture quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

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