I Chronicles 13:14 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 13:14 Commentary: God's Blessing on Obed-Edom
Hebrew · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why was Obed-Edom's household blessed? This study examines the connection between God's presence and blessing in I Chronicles 13:14, drawing on commentary and
Research Summary
- Meaning: God blesses those who welcome His presence, even in the midst of fear and uncertainty.
- Key words: ark (God’s throne‑presence), blessed (divine favor), remained (abiding, dwelling).
- Main debate: Was Obed‑Edom a Levite or a Gentile? The answer affects whether the blessing exemplifies grace to outsiders or reward for a qualified servant.
- Theological theme: God’s holy presence brings both judgment and blessing; blessing flows from proximity to God, not from human merit.
- Best use: Teaching on the connection between God’s presence and tangible blessing, in a context where the fear of God has been emphasized.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Thus 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.
WEB World English Bible 2000
God’s ark remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months; and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom’s house and all that he had.
KJV King James Version 1769
And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed–edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed–edom, and all that he had.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months: and Jehovah blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And the ark of God dwelleth with the household of Obed-Edom, in his house, three months, and Jehovah blesseth the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he hath.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months. And Jehovah blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he had.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And the ark of God remained in the house of Obededom three months: and the Lord blessed his house, and all that he had.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y el arca de Dios estuvo en casa de Obed-edom, en su casa, tres meses: y bendijo Jehová la casa de Obed-edom, y todas las cosas que tenía.
Assim a arca de Deus ficou na casa de Obede-Edom, em sua casa, por três meses; e o SENHOR abençoou a casa de Obede-Edom, e tudo quanto ele tinha.
L’arche de Dieu resta trois mois dans la maison d’ Obed-Édom, dans sa maison. Et l’ Éternel bénit la maison d’ Obed-Édom et tout ce qui lui appartenait.
Also blieb die Lade Gottes bei Obed- Edom in seinem Hause drei Monate. Und der HERR segnete das Haus Obed- Edoms und alles, was er hatte.
Alzo bleef de ark Gods bij het huisgezin van Obed-Edom, in zijn huis, drie maanden; en de HEERE zegende het huis van Obed-Edom, en alles, wat hij had.
E l’arca di Dio rimase tre mesi dalla famiglia di Obed-Edom, in casa di lui; e l’Eterno benedisse la casa di Obed-Edom e tutto quello che gli apparteneva.
I została skrzynia Boża między domownikami Obededomowymi w domu jego przez trzy miesiące. I błogosławił Pan domowi Obededomowemu i wszystkiemu, co miał.
И оставался ковчег Божий у Аведдара, в доме его, три месяца, и благословил Господь дом Аведдара и все, что у него.
神 的約櫃 在俄別‧以東 家中 三個 月，耶和華 賜福 給俄別‧以東 的家 和 他 一切 所有的。
And the ark of God was in the house of Obed-edom for three months; and the Lord sent a blessing on the house of Obed-edom and on all he had.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 13:14
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that God’s blessing on Obed-Edom’s house was a direct result of the ark’s presence. Wesley’s Notes call the ark “a guest no body shall lose by,” encouraging believers to welcome God’s ordinances. Matthew Henry uses the verse to urge reverence: even after the terror of Uzzah’s death, God blesses the house that shelters His presence. Adam Clarke identifies Obed-Edom as a Levite (based on 1 Chr 15:17‑18), arguing the blessing rewards a qualified host. The Cambridge Bible notes the Targum’s interpretation of the blessing as superabundant offspring. Keil and Delitzsch read the verse as a straightforward narrative hinge: the three‑month pause marks a transition from fear to favor. Underlying all these readings is a shared conviction: God’s holy presence, when reverently housed, brings tangible good, not because of human merit, but because God delights to bless those who draw near to Him.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: God's presence, symbolized by the ark, brought tangible blessing to the household that hosted it, demonstrating that welcoming God’s presence – even when it arrives through difficulty – results in blessing.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of Obed‑Edom | He was head of a household that hosted the ark; he is called “the Gittite” (from Gath) and later appears among Levitical gatekeepers. | Adam Clarke argues he was a Levite living in Gath, based on 1 Chronicles 15:17‑18. The Cambridge Bible treats him as a foreigner, which would emphasize the surprising grace of the blessing. |
| Nature of the blessing | God blessed his house and all he had, likely including many children (1 Chr 26:4‑5) and material prosperity. | Some emphasize the spiritual favor (God’s nearness) while others focus on the literal multiplication of offspring and wealth. Both are present in the text. |
| Reason for blessing | The blessing came because the ark (God’s presence) was in his house. | Was it a reward for Obed‑Edom’s willingness to receive the ark, or purely an act of grace? Wesley’s comment highlights the “guest” that brings blessing, not the host’s merit. Grace is the primary note. |
| The three‑month period | It marks a significant pause between Uzzah’s death and the ark’s eventual move to Jerusalem. | No substantive debate; some see it as a probation period to confirm the blessing was genuine. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This verse sits in a tense narrative. King David had assembled Israel to bring the ark of the covenant from Kiriath‑jearim to Jerusalem (1 Chr 13:5‑6). The ark, the throne of Yahweh between the cherubim, had been neglected during Saul’s reign (1 Chr 13:3). When the oxen stumbled and Uzzah touched the ark to steady it, God’s anger struck him dead (v. 10). David, angry and then afraid, abandoned the plan and diverted the ark to the nearest available house, that of Obed‑Edom the Gittite (v. 13).
Obed‑Edom’s title “the Gittite” suggests he came from Gath, a Philistine city. Yet later genealogies list him among the Levitical gatekeepers (1 Chr 26:4‑5). Adam Clarke and others argue he was a Levite residing in Gath, making him a fitting guardian for the sacred chest. Others see him as a foreigner, which would heighten the surprise of the blessing that follows.
The three‑month stay is a pause filled with theological weight. In a culture where a divine object killed one man for a seemingly minor infraction, the thought of housing it would terrify. Yet Obed‑Edom received blessing, not destruction. This pattern echoes earlier stories: Laban blessed for Jacob’s sake (Gen 30:27) and Potiphar’s house blessed for Joseph’s sake (Gen 39:5). Here, the blessing flows directly from the ark itself, from God’s presence. The Chronicler uses this episode to show that God’s holiness is not arbitrary: the same presence that judges irreverence also blesses humble welcome.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for I Chronicles 13:14. The verse appears consistently across Hebrew manuscripts and ancient versions. The Cambridge Bible mentions a textual issue in the surrounding narrative (the wording of David’s conversation with the leaders) but not in this verse.
Reception History
Jewish tradition, reflected in the Targum, interpreted the blessing as an extraordinary multiplication: Obed‑Edom’s wife and daughters‑in‑law each bore eight children at one birth, resulting in 81 persons (Clarke, Cambridge Bible). Early Christian readers saw the ark as a type of Christ or the Church, and the blessing as a promise for those who receive God’s presence. Matthew Henry and Wesley used the verse to encourage hospitality toward God’s ordinances. In modern preaching, the verse is often cited to show that God’s presence can bring blessing even after seasons of fear and failure.
Preaching This Verse
Three‑point outline
- The Fear of Holiness, Uzzah’s death teaches that God’s holiness cannot be approached carelessly. David’s fear is natural, but it nearly stops the work of God.
- God’s Unexpected Detour, The ark does not end up in Jerusalem but in a Gittite’s home. Human plans fail, but God’s presence goes where He wills.
- The Blessing of Presence, Where the ark stays, blessing follows. Obed‑Edom’s house becomes a living proof that God is not only holy but also good.
Five‑point outline
- The Cost of Irreverence, Uzzah’s death.
- Fear That Paralyzes, David’s refusal.
- Humility That Receives, Obed‑Edom’s willingness.
- Evidence of Blessing, Household and possessions prospered.
- Courage to Move Forward, David eventually retrieves the ark (1 Chr 15:2-3).
Illustration hooks
- A family agrees to foster a child from a troubled background, anxious about the disruption, and discovers the child brings unexpected joy and growth to the home.
- A church that endured a painful split later hosts a prayer meeting in a small room; over weeks, the group sees God provide for needs they had not asked about.
- An employee takes on an unpopular assignment others avoid; the office culture shifts around that person, and the manager notices increased cooperation and morale.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does God sometimes seem severe (Uzzah) and other times generous (Obed‑Edom)?
- How do I know if I am truly “hosting” God’s presence or just going through religious motions?
- When my plans for serving God hit a wall, is it a sign of His displeasure or just a detour to a deeper blessing?
Leading a Discussion
This story appears at a turning point, fear and death have interrupted joy, yet God is still at work. Obed‑Edom, a man who did not ask for the ark, receives a blessing that changes his family’s history. What can we learn about welcoming God’s presence even when life feels disrupted?
Discussion questions
- What do we know about Obed‑Edom from the surrounding verses, and why does his identity matter for the meaning of the story?
- Why do you think God blessed Obed‑Edom so visibly? What does this tell you about God’s character?
- Compare this verse with Genesis 39:5 or 30:27. How is the blessing similar and different when the ark is involved?
- In what ways might we “host” God’s presence in our homes or lives today, even when we feel unqualified or afraid?
- How does the three‑month timeline shape the meaning? Why not a shorter or longer period?
- What does this story teach us about handling both the fear of God and the desire for His blessing?
- How can we share the blessing God has given us with others, the way Obed‑Edom’s household would have spread the news?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 30:27 | Laban said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, stay here, for I have divined that Yahweh has blessed me for your sake.” |
| Genesis 39:5 | From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, Yahweh blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. Yahweh’s blessing was on all that he had, in the house and in the field. |
| I Chronicles 26:4 | Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, |
| I Chronicles 26:5 | Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him. |
| Proverbs 3:9 | Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase; |
| Proverbs 3:10 | so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. |
| Proverbs 10:22 | Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. |
| Malachi 3:10 | Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says Yahweh of Armies, “if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be enough room for. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that Obed-edom was actually a Levite living as a sojourner at Gath, despite being called a Gittite. He then dismisses the Targum's extravagant claim that Obed-edom's family miraculously multiplied to eighty-one in a single day, calling it the kind of marvel rabbis enjoy inventing.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that the Chronicler deliberately changes the wording from 2 Samuel, placing the ark “by” rather than “in” Obed-edom’s house, because he regards Obed-edom as a foreigner or idolater. The Targum adds that the blessing was specifically sons and grandsons, counting 81 persons in the household.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note highlights a deliberate contrast: the same Ark that struck Uzzah dead now brings blessing to Obed-Edom. The point is that God's presence is not dangerous in itself, but becomes a curse to irreverence and a blessing to faithful hospitality.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch identify two key points on this passage. First, the Sihor is the brook of Egypt, not the Nile. Second, they read the disputed phrase in verse 6 not as a location marker but as describing God's name: He is invoked as the one who sits enthroned above the cherubim.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange notes that Uzza's fatal error was not simply touching the ark, but the deeper violation of carrying it on an ox cart instead of having it borne by Levites as the law required. He observes that David later corrected this when preparing to move the ark to Jerusalem.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry warns that Uzza's error was a presumptuous familiarity with holy things, thinking a good intention could excuse irreverent handling. Nearness to God demands greater care, not less, and we must never imagine God is somehow obliged to us. Yet through Christ believers may approach boldly, but always with holy fear.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley encourages believers to welcome God's ordinances into their homes, trusting that the Lord's presence brings blessing, never loss. He also warns that believers should not let the gospel's offensiveness to others diminish its preciousness to them.