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David and the Ark

In ancient Israel, David the shepherd boy became David the warrior, and then finally King David, King over all united Israel. And he was powerful. His will was law.

Then David decided that the Ark of the Covenant, long neglected by Israel, should be restored to a tabernacle in Jerusalem. “The thing was right in the eyes of all the people.” (1 Chronicles 13:4)

So David and his people with great celebration of song went to fetch the Ark. “They carried the Ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab.” (1 Chronicles 13:7)

Moments later however, the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, the Ark tipped, and Uzza, standing near, “put forth his hand to hold the Ark.” (1 Chronicles 13:9)

And the Lord killed him!

The song of Israel died, and David and his people stood in benumbed shock. Why would the Lord do this? Their intentions had been only good, hadn’t they? How could this be?

“David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzza.” (1 Chronicles 13:11) He turned aside and left the Ark in the home of Obed-edom for the next three months.

This event is almost as startling and disconcerting to modern Bible readers as it was to those Israelites who first witnessed it. What kind of God is this? How could He be so harsh to the well-intentioned?

Over the years, I have witnessed all manner of scriptural contortions used to explain this story. Evidently, it makes some of us uncomfortable that God is a strict Father, who says what He means and means what He says. Yes, He is patient and slow to anger, but I assure you nothing gets past Him. His discipline is constant and perfect. What we may perceive now as undeservedly harsh, we may later recognize as undeniably necessary.

Fact is—David came to realize that he had treated lightly most sacred things. There was an order to be followed in handling the Ark. He had not followed it. We learn from this story that good intentions do not justify bad deeds. Moreover, it is deadly to take the Lord’s rules lightly. Obedience—with exactness– is the first law of heaven.

David humbled himself, learned how the Ark was to be handled, then he sought out the Levites and went back for the Ark. Carefully, with godly fear, the Levites hoisted the Ark upon their shoulders borne by staves as it should have been the first time. When they had gone only a few steps, they stopped and offered sacrifice to the Lord. Having done all they could, the Lord gave them passage and the Ark came into Jerusalem amidst great worshipful celebration of all Israel.

When Heavenly Father gives a commandment, He expects to be obeyed. Pleading weakness or inconvenience is not an excuse. Oh, my friends, I cannot say it strongly enough—do not trifle with Him. It is never worth it. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of our salvation.