1 Chronicles 13:13
New International Version
He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

New Living Translation
So David did not move the Ark into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath.

English Standard Version
So David did not take the ark home into the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

Berean Standard Bible
So he did not move the ark with him to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

King James Bible
So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
So David did not take the ark with him to the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

NASB 1995
So David did not take the ark with him to the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

NASB 1977
So David did not take the ark with him to the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

Legacy Standard Bible
And David did not move the ark with him to the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

Amplified Bible
So David did not bring the ark with him to the City of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

Christian Standard Bible
So David did not bring the ark of God home to the city of David; instead, he diverted it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So David did not move the ark of God home to the city of David; instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

American Standard Version
So David removed not the ark unto him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

Contemporary English Version
So instead of taking it to Jerusalem, David decided to take it to the home of Obed-Edom, who lived in the town of Gath.

English Revised Version
So David removed not the ark unto him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So he didn't bring God's ark to his [home], the City of David. Instead, he rerouted it to the home of Obed Edom, who was from Gath.

Good News Translation
So David did not take it with him to Jerusalem. Instead, he left it at the house of a man named Obed Edom, a native of the city of Gath.

International Standard Version
As a result, David would not take the ark into the City of David for it to be in his care. Instead, he took it to the home of Obed-edom the Gittite.

Majority Standard Bible
So he did not move the ark with him to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

NET Bible
So David did not move the ark to the City of David; he left it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

New Heart English Bible
So David did not move the ark to him into the City of David, but diverted it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

Webster's Bible Translation
So David brought not the ark to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

World English Bible
So David didn’t move the ark with him into David’s city, but carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David has not turned aside the Ark to himself, to the City of David, and turns it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

Young's Literal Translation
And David hath not turned aside the ark unto himself, unto the city of David, and turneth it aside unto the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

Smith's Literal Translation
And David removed not the ark of God from the city of David, and he will turn it away to the house of Obed-Edom the Gathite.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And therefore he brought it not home to himself, that is, into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gethite.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And for this reason, he did not bring it to himself, that is, into the City of David. Instead, he turned aside to the house of Obededom, the Gittite.

New American Bible
Therefore he did not take the ark with him into the City of David, but deposited it instead at the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

New Revised Standard Version
So David did not take the ark into his care into the city of David; he took it instead to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So David was unwilling to bring the ark home to the city of David. And David commanded it be carried to the house of Ober-edom the Gittite.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David was unwilling to bring the ark of LORD JEHOVAH with him to the city of David, and David had said to bring it to the house of UbarAdwam the Gittite.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So David removed not the ark unto him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So David brought not the ark home to himself into the city of David, but he turned it aside into the house of Abeddara the Gethite.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Uzzah Touches the Ark
12That day David feared God and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” 13So he did not move the ark with him to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 14Thus the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he owned.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 6:10-11
So he was unwilling to move the ark of the LORD to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. / Thus the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and all his household.

1 Chronicles 15:25-29
So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom. / And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. / Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. ...

1 Chronicles 16:1-3
So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. / When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. / Then he distributed to every man and woman of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.

1 Chronicles 17:1-2
After David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.” / And Nathan replied to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

1 Chronicles 26:4-5
And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, / Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth. For God had blessed Obed-edom.

2 Samuel 6:12-15
Now it was reported to King David, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and had the ark of God brought up from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing. / When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. / And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, ...

1 Kings 8:1-11
At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David. / And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim. / When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, ...

2 Chronicles 5:2-10
At that time Solomon assembled in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David. / So all the men of Israel came together to the king at the feast in the seventh month. / When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the Levites took up the ark, ...

2 Chronicles 1:4
Now David had brought the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 6:41
Now therefore, arise, O LORD God, and enter Your resting place, You and the ark of Your might. May Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and may Your godly ones rejoice in goodness.

Psalm 132:8
Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.

Acts 7:45-46
And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David, / who found favor in the sight of God and asked to provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

Hebrews 9:4
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Revelation 11:19
Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

Matthew 1:1-17
This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: / Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. / Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. ...


Treasury of Scripture

So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

brought [heb] removed

1 Chronicles 15:18
And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.

1 Chronicles 16:5
Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;

1 Chronicles 26:4,8
Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth, …

the Gittite

2 Samuel 4:3
And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)

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Ark Carried City David Gittite Home House Instead Move Obededom Obed-Edom O'bed-E'dom Removed Turned Turneth
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Ark Carried City David Gittite Home House Instead Move Obededom Obed-Edom O'bed-E'dom Removed Turned Turneth
1 Chronicles 13
1. David fetches the ark with great solemnity from Kirjath Jearim
9. Uzza being smitten, the ark is left at the house of Obed-Edom














So he did not move the ark of God
The "ark of God" refers to the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. In Hebrew, the word for "ark" is "aron," which signifies a chest or box. The Ark symbolized God's presence and covenant with Israel. David's decision not to move the Ark further reflects a deep reverence and fear of the Lord, especially after the incident with Uzzah, who was struck dead for touching the Ark. This moment underscores the holiness of God and the importance of approaching Him with the utmost respect and obedience.

to himself in the City of David
The "City of David" refers to Jerusalem, which David had captured and established as the political and spiritual center of Israel. The phrase "to himself" indicates David's personal desire to bring the Ark to his new capital, signifying the unification of the nation under God's rule. However, David's restraint in not moving the Ark further at this time shows his submission to God's will and timing, recognizing that human plans must align with divine purposes.

but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite
"Obed-edom the Gittite" was a Levite, as later passages clarify, and his designation as a "Gittite" suggests he was from Gath-rimmon, a Levitical city. The decision to place the Ark in Obed-edom's house was not random; it was a divinely orchestrated choice that brought blessings to Obed-edom and his household. This act of taking the Ark "aside" signifies a temporary pause in David's plans, allowing time for reflection and preparation to properly honor God's presence. Historically, this pause also highlights the importance of the Levites' role in caring for the Ark, as prescribed in the Law of Moses, emphasizing the need for adherence to God's instructions in worship and service.

(13) Brought not . . . home.--A different verb from that in 1Chronicles 13:12. Literally, And David caused not the ark to turn aside unto himself. Slightly abridged. (See Samuel.)

Obed-edom the Gittite.--As, according to 1Chronicles 26:1-4, Obed-edom was a Korhitic Levite, the term "Gittite" is generally assumed to mean native of Gathrimmon, a Levitical township (Joshua 21:24) belonging to the great clan of Kohath, which was charged with the carriage of the Ark, and of which Obed-edom was a member (Numbers 4:15).

Verse 13. - Obed-edom the Gittite. That Obed-edom is called "the Gittite," i.e. of Gath-rimmon, a Levite city of Dan (Joshua 21:24), might probably indicate that there was another Obed-edom, from whom to distinguish him. Such a one would appear readily to offer in the name of Obed-edom, son of Jeduthun, a "Merarite Levite" (ch. 15:18-24; 16:5, 38; 26:4-15). But the difficulty occurs that an expression in this last quotation seems to identify him with the Obed-edom of 2 Samuel 6:11; and the last sentence of our next verse. If they are one and the same, it has been suggested that marriage might account for the Merarite living in a Kohathite city (see 'Speaker's Commentary' on 2 Samuel 6:10).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So [he]
דָּוִ֧יד (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

did not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

move
הֵסִ֨יר (hê·sîr)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

the ark
הָאָר֛וֹן (hā·’ā·rō·wn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

with him
אֵלָ֖יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

to the City
עִ֣יר (‘îr)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of David;
דָּוִ֑יד (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

instead, he took
וַיַּטֵּ֕הוּ (way·yaṭ·ṭê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

it aside
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the house
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Obed-edom
אֱדֹ֖ם (’ĕ·ḏōm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5654: Obed-edom -- 'servant of Edom', an Israelite name

the Gittite.
הַגִּתִּֽי׃ (hag·git·tî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1663: Gittite -- an inhabitant of Gath


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 13:13 So David didn't move the ark (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 13:12
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