The Adam Clarke Commentary

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Chapter 13

David consults with his officers, and resolves to bring back the ark from the house of Abinadab, 1-4. They place it on a new cart, and Uzza and Ahio drive the cart; the oxen stumbling, Uzza puts forth his hand to save the ark from falling, and he is smitten by the Lord, 5-10. David is displeased, and orders the ark to be carried to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite, 11-13. The ark abides there three months, and the Lord blesses Obed-edom, 14.

Notes on Chapter 13

Verse 1. David consulted
Having taken the strong hold of Zion from the Jebusites, organized his army, got assurances of the friendly disposition of the Israelites towards him, he judged it right to do what he could for the establishment of religion in the land; and as a first step, consulted on the propriety of bringing the ark from an obscure village, where it had remained during the reign of Saul, to the royal city or seat of government.

Verse 5. From Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath
"Therefore David gathered all Israel, from the Nile, Nilos, of Egypt, even to the entrance of Antioch."-T.

Verse 6. Whose name is called on it.
"Where his name is invoked."-T. And so the Hebrew, asher nikra shem, should be understood, his name was not called on it, but invoked at it.

Verse 7. In a new cart
Lest it should be profaned by being placed on any carriage that had been employed about common uses.

Uzza and Ahio
All the versions understand achyo as signifying brother or brothers; so does Jarchi, who observes, from 2 Samuel 6:3, that these were the sons of Abinadab.

Verse 9. Uzza put forth his hand
See this transaction explained 2 Samuel 6:6,

Verse 14. The Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom
That this man was only a sojourner at Gath, whence he was termed Gittite, and that he was originally a Levite, is evident from 1 Chronicles 15:17,18.

The Targum ends this chapter thus: "And the Word of the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and his children, and his grand-children; and his wife conceived, and his eight daughters-in-law: and each brought forth eight at one birth, insomuch that in one day there were found, of fathers and children, fourscore and one; and He blessed and increased greatly all that belonged to him." This exposition will not be generally received; but all rabbins must be allowed to deal in the marvellous.

For other remarks see on 2 Samuel 6:1,