Joe: Alright, so what are we talking about today?

Bible Expert: We're talking about 1 Chronicles 13.

Joe: Wow, okay, what's the gist of the chapter?

Bible Expert: Well, it's all about the Ark of the Covenant. David decides to bring the Ark up to Jerusalem, but they don't do it in the prescribed way and it leads to a tragedy.

Joe: Hold up, what's the Ark of the Covenant?

Bible Expert: It's a sacred chest that contained the Ten Commandments. It was kept in the Tabernacle in the wilderness and was only to be moved when the priests did it using a specific set of rituals.

Joe: So what happened?

Bible Expert: Well, David and the people of Israel decided to move the Ark themselves, without following the correct procedures. They put it on an ox cart, and as they were going up the hill, the oxen stumbled and the Ark was almost lost. One of the men, Uzzah, reached out to steady the Ark and he was struck dead by God's judgement.

Joe: Wow, that's intense! What happened then?

Bible Expert: David was deeply grieved. He realized that they had done wrong and he was afraid of God. He decided to leave the Ark with the family of Obed-edom for three months, until he was sure of God's will.

Joe: Wow, so what happened next?

Bible Expert: After three months, David decided to bring the Ark up to Jerusalem. He did it properly this time, following the prescribed rituals and offering sacrifices. When they arrived in Jerusalem, David and all the people of Israel celebrated with great joy.