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2 Samuel 6:6–11

Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God (v. 7).

The ark of the covenant is on its new cart, rolling toward Jerusalem, as tens and possibly hundreds of thousands ot people accompany it amid the sounds of music. Then, without warning, this joyous event is shattered by the one it is intended to honor—God Himself. Near a threshing floor owned by someone named Nachon, a small event takes place, one of those seemingly trivial occurrences that end up shaping the world. Perhaps the road is uneven. Perhaps there is a pothole. Perhaps someone has dropped something in the road. Whatever the case may be, the oxen pulling the cart stumble. We’re not told exactly what happens next— perhaps the cart jerks and the ark teeters, or perhaps Uzzah simply fears that it will. In any case, he reaches out to steady the ark. But when he touches it, God grows angry and strikes Uzzah, causing him to the on the spot.

Uzzah’s offense seems so small and the punishment so great. Is God over-reacting? We must remember that the Israelites already have violated God’s command about how to transport the ark (Num. 4:15), and they probably have failed to cover it as He ordered (Num. 4:5). God has graciously borne these failures to heed His Word. But He had explicitly told the Levites who were to carry the ark that they were not to touch it upon penalty of death (Num. 4:15). Unfortunately, that is exactly what Uzzah does here—and he suffers the threatened penalty. But why does God not withhold His wrath over this offense also? Perhaps it is that Uzzah’s action is so presumptuous—it assumes that God cannot protect His throne from harm.

Matthew Henry notes that David should humble himself at this point and confess his errors, but he does not do that. Instead, his first reaction is anger, not at Uzzah or the Levites, but at God. Perhaps he is upset that God did not spare Uzzah on the basis of David’s good intentions. But the text also tells us that David is afraid for his own safety if he brings the ark into Jerusalem. So he directs that it be taken to the nearby house of one Obed-Edom, a Gittite (a man from Gath Rimmon, a city of the Levites, Josh. 21:23–25). Obed-Edom apparently keeps the ark with proper reverence. And so the passage ends on a hopeful note, for Obed-Edom and his household are blessed in unspecified ways during the three months the ark is in his home.

Coram Deo Living before the face of God

Uzzah seems to have meant well. But as Henry notes, “a good intention will not justify a bad action.” God has made known the actions and attitudes that please Him. When we let ourselves believe that we can serve Him by our own understanding, we are in danger of judgment. Strive always to understand His Word and follow it.


For Further Study
  • Ps. 25:4
  • Isa. 59:9–15
  • John 9:39
  • Rev. 3:16–17

    Carting the Ark

    A New Dwelling Place

    Keep Reading The Way of Glory: Persecution and Martyrdom in the Christian Life

    From the September 2003 Issue
    Sep 2003 Issue