David Attempts to Move The Ark
June 3, 2020
Commentary
After David had captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it the capital of Israel and Judah, he was eager to make it the religious center as well. This could not be done, however, till the Ark of the Covenant was returned to a permanent resting place in Jerusalem. The Philistines had captured the ark at Shiloh (l Samuel 4:4,11) and eventually returned it to Israel (l Samuel 6:2-12) where it was housed at Kiriath-jearim for approximately 70 years.
David commissioned a group of Priests and Levites from throughout the land to bring the ark back to Jerusalem (vv. l-6). The intention of David and Israel was commendable, but the method chosen to remove the ark from the house of Abinadab was not according to God’s prescribed directions for transporting the ark (Exodus 25:13-15). The Law of Moses gave specific instructions that the ark was to be carried by the Levites using poles inserted through its corner rings.
Instead of following these instructions the ark was put on a cart and when it hit a rough spot in the road the ark began to tip. Instinctively, Uzziah reached out to keep it from falling and was immediately struck dead. When this happened, the ark was temporarily transferred to the house of Obed-edom and his family (v. 14).
Application
Uzziah died instantly for touching the ark, but God blessed Obed-edom’s home where the ark was stored. This demonstrates how God is perfectly loving and perfectly just. The key is obedience and severe punishment will come to me if I disobey Him. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
1 Chronicles 13:1– 14 (NET)
1 David consulted with his military officers, including those who led groups of a thousand and those who led groups of a hundred. 2 David said to the whole Israelite assembly, “If you so desire and the Lord our God approves, let’s spread the word to our brothers who remain in all the regions of Israel, and to the priests and Levites in their cities, so they may join us. 3 Let’s move the ark of our God back here, for we did not seek his will throughout Saul’s reign.” 4 The whole assembly agreed to do this, for the proposal seemed right to all the people. 5 So David assembled all Israel from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. 6 David and all Israel went up to Baalah (that is, Kiriath Jearim) in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who sits enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by his Name.
7 They transported the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab; Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart, 8 while David and all Israel were energetically celebrating before God, singing and playing various stringed instruments, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. 9 When they arrived at the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to take hold of the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 10 The Lord was so furious with Uzzah, he killed him, because he reached out his hand and touched the ark. He died right there before God.
11 David was angry because the Lord attacked Uzzah; so he called that place Perez Uzzah, which remains its name to this very day. 12 David was afraid of God that day and said, “How will I ever be able to bring the ark of God up here?” 13 So David did not move the ark to the City of David; he left it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 14 The ark of God remained in Obed-Edom’s house for three months; the Lord blessed Obed-Edom’s family and everything that belonged to him.