God’s ark “in the midst”? See Lk 2:46; Mt 18:20; Jn 19:18; 20:26; Heb 2:12; Rev 1:13; 5:6; 7:17.
The placing of the Ark at the spatial center of Jewish worship pointed to the spiritual center the Lord was to have among His people. On their wilderness trek, the ark was placed at the epicenter, with the tabernacle, the court, the priests’ encampment, and then the twelve tribes arrayed in concentric geometry around it. But the process of the ark finding its rightful place had many fits and starts. First it was placed at Shiloh, 19 miles (31 km) north of Jerusalem. Then, used as a talisman by Israel in battle, it ended up in the hands of the Philistines, and was shunted from one city to another. Like boys playing with a chemistry set, they found their idols and God’s throne a volatile mix. But when they sent the ark back, they suffered no ill effects from opening it to insert their peace offerings. They didn’t know any better. However, at Beth-shemesh, the Israelites did know not to look in the ark, and many funerals resulted. So Beth-shemesh also sent it away, now to the house of Abinadab. There it lay all through the reign of Saul, who cared little about the Lord having His central place. In our story today, David intends to finish the trip. In 2 Samuel 6, “all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand” (v 1) joined David for the big event. But here (1 Chron 13:1-14), we read he gathered Israel “from Shihor in Egypt to as far as the entrance of Hamath” (v 5). Again, the Philistines in ignorance may use a cart. But David’s use of it led to tragedy and the death of Uzza (vv 9-10). Methods count with God. His work must be done in His way. Thus another detour, this time to the house of Obed-Edom, a man from Gath (v 13)! “And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom” (v 14)—as He blesses every home where He is received.