2 Samuel 6:3
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. 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.
The ark was the symbol of the divine presence. It contained God's holy law. David sought to honor it by bringing it to Jerusalem, his own city, with great rejoicing and display.
They set the ark of God upon a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, with Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, driving the cart. That setting of the ark on the cart began a triumphant procession toward the holy city, with the men of Israel following with exultant shouts and songs of rejoicing. David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on harps and psalteries and timbrels and cornets and cymbals, a scene of solemn gladness and triumph not witnessed for a long time.
When the cart came to Nachon's threshingfloor, where the ground was rough, the oxen shook it and Uzzah put forth his hand and took hold of the ark. Because of the ark's sacredness its handling was subject to God's requirements, so the method of carrying it on a cart was irreverent. Only a consecrated priest was permitted to touch the ark, so Uzzah's touch was rash and presumptuous.
The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God smote him there by the ark so that he died. Sudden terror fell on the rejoicing throng and the season of gladness was turned into grief and mourning. David was astonished and alarmed and questioned the justice of God in sending fearful judgment while he was seeking to honor the ark, and feeling it unsafe to have the ark near him he left it at the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. The judgment taught Israel to treat God's law and its sacred emblem with reverence.