When potassium, a metallic element, comes into contact with water, there is a violent reaction: the metal disappears in a cloud of steam and a pale purple flame. Potassium must be handled with great care. Today’s text makes a somewhat similar point about the things of God.

The ark symbolises the presence of the living God. Since the time of Saul’s reign, the ark had remained at Kiriath Jearim on the border of Israel (1 Samuel 7:1–2). David proposes bringing it to Jerusalem, his royal city. All Israel gathers to accompany the ark on its journey (1 Chronicles 13:1–6).

But disaster occurs (vv. 9–10). The oxen pulling the cart stumble, and Uzzah reaches out a hand to steady the ark. His intentions are good, but his action is mistaken. Places and objects linked with God’s presence must be handled reverently (Leviticus 10:1–3; Numbers 1:50–51). God’s anger “breaks out” against him and he dies.

David is angry, then fearful (1 Chronicles 13:11–12). If the ark enters Jerusalem, that will be a sign that God intends to bless his rule over Israel. But the ark has stopped short of Jerusalem. So what are God’s intentions? If David has regarded the ark as a kind of mascot which he can manipulate to bolster his royal authority, he is made to think again. For three months, the ark remains where it has halted (v. 14).

1 Chronicles 14 makes clear that, the disaster of the ark notwithstanding, God means to bless Israel. Hiram of Tyre aids David in building a palace. David sees this as a sign of God’s blessing (vv. 1–2). David builds his royal house in another sense as well, by fathering children (vv. 3–7). Crucially, David recognises that God has raised him up “for the sake of his people Israel” (v. 2). Leading Israel well, in obedience to God, must be David’s focus. Palaces, children, and recognition by foreign kings are secondary matters.

Now that David is king of a united Israel, the Philistines see him as a threat. They invade Israel in search of him, but God “breaks out” against them (v. 11), reversing the tragedy of chapter 13. Again they invade Israel and again they are defeated, this time heavily, “all the way from Gibeon to Gezer” (v. 16). In both battles God is the real victor (vv. 11, 15); all David has to do is seek God and trust His guidance (vv. 10, 14). The message for the Chronicler’s own day was: God still blesses those who seek Him.

Now, David’s kingdom is even more securely established: “all the nations” stand in awe of him, acknowledging God’s power (v. 17). 1 Chronicles 14 thus ends by reminding us of the ultimate reason for Israel’s calling and, within that, God’s choice of David as Israel’s king: that the nations of the world might come to know the God of Israel, who is also their Creator.

See also 2 Samuel 5:1–6:11.