David Attempts to Move The Ark

I Chronicles 13:1–14
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After David had captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it the capital of Israel and Judah, he was eager to make it the religious center as well. This could not be done, however, till the Ark of the Covenant was returned to a permanent resting place in Jerusalem. The Philistines had captured the ark at Shiloh (l Samuel 4:4,11) and eventually returned it to Israel (l Samuel 6:2-12) where it was housed at Kiriath-jearim for approximately 70 years.

David commissioned a group of Priests and Levites from throughout the land to bring the ark back to Jerusalem (vv. l-6). The intention of David and Israel was commendable, but the method chosen to remove the ark from the house of Abinadab was not according to God’s prescribed directions for transporting the ark (Exodus 25:13-15). The Law of Moses gave specific instructions that the ark was to be carried by the Levites using poles inserted through its corner rings.

Instead of following these instructions the ark was put on a cart and when it hit a rough spot in the road the ark began to tip. Instinctively, Uzziah reached out to keep it from falling and was immediately struck dead. When this happened, the ark was temporarily transferred to the house of Obed-edom and his family (v. 14).

Application

Uzziah died instantly for touching the ark, but God blessed Obed-edom’s home where the ark was stored. This demonstrates how God is perfectly loving and perfectly just. The key is obedience and severe punishment will come to me if I disobey Him. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God” (Hebrews 10:31).