What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 13:13?

So he did not move the ark with him to the City of David;

• David’s pause came after Uzzah’s death (1 Chronicles 13:10; 2 Samuel 6:7). The shock reminded him that “Only the Levites may carry the ark of God” (1 Chronicles 15:2, 13).

• Fear replaced celebration—“David was afraid of God that day” (1 Chronicles 13:12). Reverence must precede progress.

• The City of David (Jerusalem) would wait until transport could be done God’s way, echoing the principle in Proverbs 9:10 that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

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instead,

• David chose a temporary alternative rather than press ahead in presumption, mirroring the wisdom of Proverbs 19:2: “Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good.”

• His decision illustrates James 4:6—God “gives grace to the humble.” By admitting error, David positioned himself for future blessing.

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he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

• Obed-edom’s home became a sanctuary; “The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months, and the LORD blessed his household” (1 Chronicles 13:14).

• Blessing on a Gittite (likely from Gath-rimmon, a Levitical town; Joshua 21:24) reinforces God’s promise in Genesis 12:3 that blessing flows wherever His presence rests.

• David later witnessed this favor (2 Samuel 6:11-12) and resolved to bring the ark “with rejoicing” (1 Chronicles 15:25), this time on Levite shoulders with sacrifices (1 Chronicles 15:15).

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summary

The verse captures a pivotal lesson: zeal must be aligned with God’s revealed order. David halted the procession, humbled himself, and watched God’s favor rest on Obed-edom. Only after learning holy reverence did he resume, and Jerusalem ultimately received the ark under obedient celebration.