1. Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2. 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 cherubim.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
7. 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.
8. And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day.
9. And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and said, How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?
10. 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 Obed-edom the Gittite.
11. And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months; and the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and all his household.
12. And it was told king David, saying, The Lord hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness.
Golden Text: “O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” Ps. 84: 12.
NOTE.—Parallel scriptures are 1 Chronicles 13, 15, and 16. The psalm, 1 Chron. 16: 7-36, which David gave to be sung on the occasion, reappears in part in Psalm 96, and 106: 1, 47, 48. 1 Chron. 23: 5 and 25: 1-7 describe the organization of the service of song. Between the previous lesson and13this, David has been called upon twice to defend his added authority against invasions of the Philistines. Read the entire sixth chapter in connection with the present lesson.
Suggestive Questions.
(1) Who and how many did David gather together? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) Where did they assemble, and for what purpose? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) How did they prepare to transport the ark? Verse 3. (4) Who had it in special charge? Same verse, and verse 4. (5) With what ceremonies was it accompanied? Verse 5. (6) What took place at Nachon's threshing floor? Verses 6, 7. Note 3. (7) How was David affected by this occurrence? Verse 8. Note 4. (8) What attitude did he assume respecting the Lord? Verse 9. (9) What was done with the ark? Verse 10. Note 5. (10) How long did the ark remain there, and what did the Lord do for that family? Verse 11. (11) What will he do for any one who receives his law and cherishes it? (12) What was told David? Verse 12. (13) What did he then do? Same verse. Note 6.
Notes.
1. Thirty thousand.—These were representatives of the whole people, and, according to Chronicles, they came as far as from Shihor, fifty miles south of Gaza, and from Hamath, in Lebanon, 250 miles north of Jerusalem.
2. The ark of God.—A description of the ark is found in Exodus 25. For seventy years it had lain in partial neglect at Kirjath-jearim (Baale of Judah), in the house of Abinadab, to which place it was brought after its experience in the hands of the Philistines, who captured it in battle. In the true worship of the Israelites, this was the central point, for it was from between the cherubim on the mercy-seat that God manifested his presence from time to time, while underneath the mercy-seat, and within the ark, were the tables of stone containing the ten commandments, God's moral law. It was preëminently fitting that the central worship of God should be at Jerusalem, and it was to revive religion and bring this about that David made this move.
3. God smote him.—The death of Uzzah was designed to teach an important lesson. Express directions had been given for the mode of moving the ark (Num. 4: 15; 7: 9), and there could be no excuse for departing from the law at this time. It was to be carried by means of the staves, and by the sons of Kohath, of the Levites. This, David and those caring for the ark should have known. It was the symbol of God's presence, and none but those designated of God could look upon it, much less lay hold of it, without peril to life. This was not merely an arbitrary requirement, but was to teach the people that God is not common, but exceeding holy. Uzzah stood in a representative position. What he did was in sight of all the people, and it was needful to impress this fact upon them, lest a small neglect lead to a greater. If the Lord was thus particular respecting the depository of his law, how much more particular is he regarding the observance of the law of ten commandments itself, the very foundation of his throne! See Ps. 97: 2; 119: 172. While there may be seen in the “anger of the Lord,” as recorded in those words, a righteous indignation and jealous care for his name, there may also be discovered a watchful care and love for his chosen people, that they might not stray from the paths of rectitude. Let us learn that the judgments of God, although severe, are actuated by infinite love,—for us.
4. David was displeased.—It does not state that David was displeased with the Lord. He could not afford to assume such an attitude, and the following verse shows his fear of the Lord. While the action of the Lord was the immediate cause of disturbing the ceremonies, Uzzah's course and the consequent delay were probably the chief objects of his displeasure, as the arrangements were very elaborate.
5. Obed-edom the Gittite.—He was a Levite, belonging to the family of Kohath. 1 Chron. 26: 1, 4-8; Num. 16: 1. He was called a Gittite, or Gathite, because he was a native of the Levitical city Gath-rimmon, in Manasseh, which belonged to the Kohathites. Josh. 21: 25. His home was about three or four miles from Jerusalem.
6. David went, etc.—He had an opportunity during this three months for remembering the requirements of God, and there was before him also the evidence, in the blessings received by Obed-edom, of the blessings accompanying the law. So he desired specially to have the ark in Jerusalem. Note that this time the ark was borne on the shoulders of Levites. 1 Chron. 15: 15.
