“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.” (2 Samuel 6:3)
Background
The Ark of God came into the world by God’s grace. When the Ark was built by Moses and the artisans of Israel it was intended to be the place God would dwell. The Ark was placed inside the Tabernacle surrounded by a tent. The entire Tabernacle and Ark are to be transported as the children of Israel lingers in the wilderness. Transported set up and put away for travel under the guidance of the Levite priests. Many of the items for the Tabernacle were transported in carts pulled by Oxen. There is one exception, the Ark is to be carried on the shoulders of the Kohathites. The Ark of God had journeyed across the Jordan into the Promised Land.
The First Mistake
“And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.” (Leviticus 10:1)
Aaron had the job of the offerings in the altar, it was Aaron who did this as commanded to him by God. Nadab and Abihu jumped ahead of Aaron and God. Thus they were consumed by fire.
“And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” (Leviticus 10:2)
The Philistines and the Ark of God
“And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.” (1 Samuel 4:2)
The Elders of Israel call for the Ark of God to be brought out. Everyone cheered and shouted. Then the Philistines beat them up and took the Ark of God.
When the Ark of God was stolen by the Philistines and placed in the Philistine temple to Dagon, even the Philistines realized God was more than their gods could handle (because their gods were just statues). The Philistines returned the Ark of God in a cart.
Before David is King
“And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.” (1 Samuel 14:18)
Saul hears the noise of war in the camp of the Philistines and sees them killing each other. Saul tells the priest Ahiah to withdraw his hand from the ark of God. Since the ark had been returned by the Philistines it has remained with the Priests.
David at Jerusalem
David as King of Israel has built up The City of David at Jerusalem to include a holy place with a home for the ark of God.
“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.” (2 Samuel 6:2)
With 30,000 others David is on a parade to bring the ark of God to its resting place. The people are rejoicing with all sorts of musical instruments. It is certainly a happy day in Israel. That is until tragedy strikes.
The Oxen Shook
The ark was placed on a brand new cart. This was not the will of God. Remember when the Kohathites were supposed to carry the ark between two poles on their shoulders. A careful and honorable way to carry God’s ark.
When the Oxen shook it must have appeared that the ark was about to topple off onto the ground, Uzzah took hold of it, and God killed him right then and there.
David now feared what he had just watched. Was it something David had done?
Stay Tuned…
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