David’s Exploits

1 Chronicles 13-14

            We know that in Chronicles we’re covering history we’ve already covered, and I’ve observed that the temple is a prominent theme in Chronicles. For both of those reasons, we shouldn’t be surprised to read about David’s ill-fated first attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem again. New details the Chronicler adds include David’s consultation with the priests and the Levites; despite the results, David wants to do things right. Another new emphasis is on David’s consultation with ‘all Israel.’ He is portrayed as a unified, doing things that will bring the people together, especially in the right worship of the Lord.

            When we turn our attention to the battle with the Philistines, the Chronicler makes a subtle connection with the word perez. In the story about the ark, David named the place of Uzzah’s death Perez Uzzah, because the Lord had ‘broken out’ (perez) against Uzzah. The lesson there was that God’s holy people were to respect the Lord and His law. The battle with the Philistines took place at Baal Perazim, which means either ‘Baal who breaks out’ or ‘the lord who breaks out.’ Baal can be the name of the chief god of Canaan, but it can also just be a general word indicating a master. If it’s a reference to Baal, then it’s mockingly given, because Baal cannot break out against Israel. (I know, the chief god of the Philistines is Dagon; Baal here might just be a way of referring to all the false gods.) If it’s a reference to the Lord, then He did indeed break out, teaching the nations that they too should respect Him.