Chapter 11—Angels From David’s Time to the
Babylonian Captivity
David’s Reign
The ark remained in the house of Abinadab until David was made
king. He gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand,
and went to bring up the ark of God. They sat the ark upon a new
cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab. Uzzah and Ahio,
sons of Abinadab, drave the cart. David and all the house of Israel
played before the Lord on all manner of musical instruments. “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. 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.” Uzzah was
angry with the oxen, because they stumbled. He showed a manifest
distrust of God, as though He who had brought the ark from the land
of the Philistines, could not take care of it. Angels who attended the
ark struck down Uzzah for presuming impatiently to put his hand upon
the ark of God.—
Spiritual Gifts 4a:111
.
[127]
With a view to extending his conquests among foreign nations,
David determined to increase his army by requiring military service
from all who were of proper age. To effect this, it became necessary
to take a census of the population. It was pride and ambition that
prompted this action of the king....
The object of the undertaking was directly contrary to the principles
of a theocracy. Even Joab remonstrated, unscrupulous as he had
heretofore shown himself.... “Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed
against Joab.” ...
The next morning a message was brought to David by the prophet
Gad: “Thus saith the Lord, Choose thee either three years’ famine; or
three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of
thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord,
even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying
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