Reign of David
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in their hands a plain statement of the will of God in all these matters,
and their neglect of these instructions was dishonoring to God. Upon
Uzzah rested the greater guilt of presumption. Transgression of God’s
law had lessened his sense of its sacredness, and with unconfessed sins
upon him he had, in face of the divine prohibition, presumed to touch
the symbol of God’s presence. God can accept no partial obedience, no
lax way of treating His commandments. By the judgment upon Uzzah
He designed to impress upon all Israel the importance of giving strict
heed to His requirements. Thus the death of that one man, by leading
the people to repentance, might prevent the necessity of inflicting
judgments upon thousands.
Feeling that his own heart was not wholly right with God, David,
seeing the stroke upon Uzzah, had feared the ark, lest some sin on his
part should bring judgments upon him. But Obed-edom, though he
rejoiced with trembling, welcomed the sacred symbol as the pledge
of God’s favor to the obedient. The attention of all Israel was now
directed to the Gittite and his household; all watched to see how it
would fare with them. “And the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and all his
household.”
Upon David the divine rebuke accomplished its work. He was led
to realize as he had never realized before the sacredness of the law
of God and the necessity of strict obedience. The favor shown to the
house of Obed-edom led David again to hope that the ark might bring
a blessing to him and to his people.
At the end of three months he resolved to make another attempt
to remove the ark, and he now gave earnest heed to carry out in every
particular the directions of the Lord. Again the chief men of the nation
were summoned, and a vast assemblage gathered about the dwelling
place of the Gittite. With reverent care the ark was now placed upon
the shoulders of men of divine appointment, the multitude fell into line,
and with trembling hearts the vast procession again set forth. After
advancing six paces the trumpet sounded a halt. By David’s direction
sacrifices of “oxen and fatlings” were to be offered. Rejoicing now
took the place of trembling and terror. The king had laid aside his royal
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robes and had attired himself in a plain linen ephod, such as was worn
by the priests. He did not by this act signify that he assumed priestly
functions, for the ephod was sometimes worn by others besides the
priests. But in this holy service he would take his place as, before