So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart.
Parallel translations
- WEB They carried God’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house; and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.
- KJV And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.
- NKJV So they carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.
- NASB And they carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.
- NLT They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house. Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
They carried the ark on a new cart driven by Uzza and Ahio, rather than on Levites' shoulders as the Law required. This well-meaning but disobedient method sets up the tragedy that follows.
Overview
The ark was placed on a new cart, mirroring the Philistine method (1 Samuel 6) rather than God's command that Levites carry it by poles on their shoulders (Numbers 4; Exodus 25). Though sincerely intended to honor God, this departure from His revealed instruction was a serious error. The Chronicler thus shows that zeal must be matched by obedience; God is to be worshiped in the way He prescribes, not as we see fit.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Num 4:15When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.
- 1 Sam 7:1–2Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the LORD and took it into Abinadab’s house on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of the LORD.
- 1 Sam 6:7Now, therefore, prepare one new cart with two milk cows that have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up.
- 1 Chr 15:2Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”
- 1 Chr 15:13It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.”
- 2 Sam 6:3They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart,
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