II Samuel 6:1-11
“Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
“And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.” (II Samuel 6:1-4)
About eighty or a hundred years before, in I Samuel 4, the Philistines had captured the ark of God. After a seven months, they sent it back on a new cart with various offerings. When the people of Bethshemish found it, they suspected the Philistines of having robbed it an opened it to check, resulting in over fifty thousand deaths, They sent it to Kirjathjearim, to the house of Abinadab, where it was ignored for twenty years until Samuel grew up and became judge.
It remained in Abinadab’s house throughout Samuel’s judgeship, and Saul and Ishbosheth’s reigns. David decided to bring it to Jerusalem where it would play a more important role in their worship. Because it had been so long neglected little thought was given as to how it was to be moved. Numbers 4 specified that moving the ark was specifically the responsibility of the Kohath Levites. While other parts of the tabernacle were to be hauled on wagons, the furniture was to be carried by hand.
The Philistines had returned the Ark on a new cart, with no problem, so David and his people used a new cart to do the same thing. Abinadab’s sons were to drive the cart.
“And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.” (II Samuel 6:5)
They set out in high spirits, excited that finally they would be worshipping God in the manner they were supposed to. They were accompanied by a marching band, although their instruments were different than modern bands, with the soundboards made of fir. Interestingly, fir and spruce are still considered some of the best wood for sound boards.
“And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.” (II Samuel 6:6-7)
Everything was going well until they came to Nachon’s threshing floor. At that point they hit a bump that caused the ark to slid on the cart. Uzzah grabbed it to stop it’s sliding around, and God killed him for it.
Numbers 4:15 forbid even the Kohath Levites from touching the Ark. “… the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die…” When the men of Bethshemish opened the Ark, fifty thousand died even though their intentions were solely to make sure the Philistines hadn’t taken anything. When Uzzah touched the Ark, he died even though he was just trying to stabilize it.
While using a cart to move the Ark undoubtedly seemed like a better way of moving the Ark, it was not the way God specified and exposed people to an unnecessary risk. Today there is a lot of emphasis on doing some thing new and better in our effort to worship. Unfortunately they sometimes ignore God’s plan and expose people to unnecessary risk as well.
One area where this is common is in financing the church. Many churches have borrowed money to build a building, or start some ministry and been forced into financial difficulties or bankruptcy as a result. Many Bible colleges have been turned from their doctrinal stance in order to meet scholastic standards so they can draw more students? Many churches have moved away from their doctrinal stance to appeal to a larger number of people, with the result that people no longer consider doctrine very important. Frequently, psychology and motivational programs are used to move people, not realizing that can only produce carnal results.
“And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?” (II Samuel 6:8-9)
David was quite upset that his effort to serve God had turned out so badly, resulting in a death. He developed a healthy new respect and fear of God. Suddenly he doubted his ability to accomplish what he believed God wanted.
“So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.” (II Samuel 6:10-11)
Fearful lest he cause someone else’s death, David took the ark of God to Obededom’s house and left it set while he watched to see what would happen and why Uzzah had died. During the three months the Ark was in his house, Obededom and his family were especially blessed.
“Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
“And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.” (II Samuel 6:1-4)
About eighty or a hundred years before, in I Samuel 4, the Philistines had captured the ark of God. After a seven months, they sent it back on a new cart with various offerings. When the people of Bethshemish found it, they suspected the Philistines of having robbed it an opened it to check, resulting in over fifty thousand deaths, They sent it to Kirjathjearim, to the house of Abinadab, where it was ignored for twenty years until Samuel grew up and became judge.
It remained in Abinadab’s house throughout Samuel’s judgeship, and Saul and Ishbosheth’s reigns. David decided to bring it to Jerusalem where it would play a more important role in their worship. Because it had been so long neglected little thought was given as to how it was to be moved. Numbers 4 specified that moving the ark was specifically the responsibility of the Kohath Levites. While other parts of the tabernacle were to be hauled on wagons, the furniture was to be carried by hand.
The Philistines had returned the Ark on a new cart, with no problem, so David and his people used a new cart to do the same thing. Abinadab’s sons were to drive the cart.
“And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.” (II Samuel 6:5)
They set out in high spirits, excited that finally they would be worshipping God in the manner they were supposed to. They were accompanied by a marching band, although their instruments were different than modern bands, with the soundboards made of fir. Interestingly, fir and spruce are still considered some of the best wood for sound boards.
“And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.” (II Samuel 6:6-7)
Everything was going well until they came to Nachon’s threshing floor. At that point they hit a bump that caused the ark to slid on the cart. Uzzah grabbed it to stop it’s sliding around, and God killed him for it.
Numbers 4:15 forbid even the Kohath Levites from touching the Ark. “… the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die…” When the men of Bethshemish opened the Ark, fifty thousand died even though their intentions were solely to make sure the Philistines hadn’t taken anything. When Uzzah touched the Ark, he died even though he was just trying to stabilize it.
While using a cart to move the Ark undoubtedly seemed like a better way of moving the Ark, it was not the way God specified and exposed people to an unnecessary risk. Today there is a lot of emphasis on doing some thing new and better in our effort to worship. Unfortunately they sometimes ignore God’s plan and expose people to unnecessary risk as well.
One area where this is common is in financing the church. Many churches have borrowed money to build a building, or start some ministry and been forced into financial difficulties or bankruptcy as a result. Many Bible colleges have been turned from their doctrinal stance in order to meet scholastic standards so they can draw more students? Many churches have moved away from their doctrinal stance to appeal to a larger number of people, with the result that people no longer consider doctrine very important. Frequently, psychology and motivational programs are used to move people, not realizing that can only produce carnal results.
“And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?” (II Samuel 6:8-9)
David was quite upset that his effort to serve God had turned out so badly, resulting in a death. He developed a healthy new respect and fear of God. Suddenly he doubted his ability to accomplish what he believed God wanted.
“So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.” (II Samuel 6:10-11)
Fearful lest he cause someone else’s death, David took the ark of God to Obededom’s house and left it set while he watched to see what would happen and why Uzzah had died. During the three months the Ark was in his house, Obededom and his family were especially blessed.
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