“But David was displeased because the Lord had broken forth upon Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.”
This verse is part of the account that describes King David’s attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred container that housed the tablets of the Ten Commandments and represented God’s presence among the Israelites.
In the earlier verses of 2 Samuel 6, we learn that David had gathered thirty thousand chosen men from Israel to accompany him in retrieving the Ark from the house of Abinadab in the city of Kirjath-jearim. They placed the Ark on a new cart and set out on their journey.
As they traveled, the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, causing the Ark to shift. In response, Uzzah, one of the men, reached out his hand to steady the Ark. However, as soon as he touched it, God struck him down, and he died. This event troubled David greatly and led him to be displeased with the Lord’s action.
There are a few key points we can glean from this passage:
- The sacredness of the Ark: The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God’s holiness and presence among His people. It was to be treated with utmost reverence and respect. God had given specific instructions regarding how the Ark was to be carried (Exodus 25:12-15; Numbers 4:15), which involved the use of poles inserted through rings on the sides. David’s decision to transport the Ark on a cart instead of following the prescribed method was a deviation from God’s instructions.
- The importance of obedience: God had given specific instructions on how the Ark was to be transported, and David’s deviation from these instructions resulted in Uzzah’s unfortunate death. This incident serves as a reminder of the significance of obedience to God’s commands and the consequences of disregarding His instructions. It underscores the holiness of God and the need to approach Him with reverence and obedience.
- David’s initial reaction: David’s initial response to Uzzah’s death was one of displeasure. He might have questioned God’s actions or felt disappointed. However, as the story progresses, we see that David later recognized the importance of following God’s instructions and adjusted his approach to bringing the Ark to Jerusalem.
