For over fifty years, the Ark of the Covenant stayed in Abinadab’s house. Either the Israelites couldn’t reach it because the Philistines controlled the area, or it was simply neglected since King Saul didn’t care about it.
However, David valued the Ark and was determined to bring it to Jerusalem.
They carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart with the ark of God, Ahio went in front of the ark.
David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the Lord with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals (2 Samuel 6:3-5).
Trouble on the Joyful Road
A half a century earlier, when the Philistines returned to Ark to the Israelites, they placed it on a new cart. Following the Philistine procedure, the Israelites did the same, all the while neglecting God’s directions for the transportation of the Ark.
Uzzah was the victim of their negligence.
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen lurched.
The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him there,[e] and he died there beside the ark of God (2 Samuel 6:6-7).
Uzzah touching the ark might have been enough to condemn him. However, they were also transporting the ark in a cart instead of carrying it on their shoulders. Plus, there’s no proof that the Ark was being transported by a proper priest.
Modern readers of the Old Testament are often troubled with what happened to Uzzah. They are in good company, because David was both angry and fearful of God’s actions.
David was angry because the Lord had burst forth with an outburst upon Uzzah, so that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day.
David was afraid of the Lord that day; he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come into my care?” (2 Samuel 6:8-9).
God’s Justice
When Abraham was pleading for the citizens of Sodom, he asked God: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” (Genesis 18:25).
As Bible students consider events like the death of Uzzah, they wonder about the justice of God. How can we understand God’s actions, when we can assume that Uzzah intended to perform a righteous deed?
One way to look at it is to compare God’s work with Israel to building a foundation for a house. If the foundation isn’t right, the whole house will be flawed.
While God was laying this foundation, His strict rules had to be followed. Uzzah and the people transporting the ark to Jerusalem broke these rules. So, God imposed strict punishment on him to reveal His will to the entire nation.
I like to see events like this through the lens of Jesus. Think about it. God chose a sinful race over His own Son. He sent His Son to the cross and let Him die a terrible death to save all of humanity.
While Uzzah’s death provided an example for the nation, Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection offered life to all of humanity.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed all of 2 Samuel 6 today on YouTube.
Real Voices 