Reading

• 2 Sam. 5:6-8
• 1 Chron. 11:6-9
• 2 Sam. 5:11-12
• 1 Chron. 13:1-14; 14:8-17
• 2 Sam. 22:1-51
• Psalm 18

Devotional

David and his warriors marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites who lived there. David conquered the Jebusites and the fortress of Zion and he lived there. Joab led the charge on Jerusalem and David made him commander-in-chief. David built up Jerusalem’s walls and Joab restored the rest of the city. David prospered because GOD was with him and blessed him. Hiram, king of Tyre, built David a palace in Jerusalem.

Then David and his men went to Baalah of Judah to bring up the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. They placed the ark on a cart and Uzzah and Ahio were in charge of leading the cart. David and all the Israelites were celebrating before GOD with songs and musical instruments. But then the ox stumbled and Uzzah reached out to steady the ark on the cart. GOD was angry with Uzzah and He struck him dead on the spot. GOD had instructed the Israelites that the Levites were responsible for carrying the tabernacle and its furnishings. GOD had told Moses:

Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor take a census of them among the children of Israel; but you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, over all its furnishings, and over all things that belong to it; they shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they shall attend to it and camp around the tabernacle. And when the tabernacle is to go forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall set it up. The outsider who comes near shall be put to death.
(Num. 1:49-51 NKJV)

Even the Levite family whose job it was to carry the tabernacle’s furnishings were told not to touch the holy things or they would die (Num. 4:15). Only after the furnishings were packed and wrapped up could they be carried.

Why would GOD strike Uzzah dead for simply touching the ark? After all, his intentions were seemingly good. I believe the reason is the same reason that GOD killed Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu. GOD said:

By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.
(Lev. 10:3 NKJV)

GOD had spoken on the matter and His word must be respected and obeyed or there are consequences. Honoring and respecting GOD is just as serious a matter today as it was during Uzzah and Nadab and Abihu’s day.