The ark of the covenant had been the centre piece in the holy of holies, the most important part of the tabernacle. The ark signified the presence of holy God. The ark had been previously captured by the Philistines, in battle, but they sent it back to Israel because of how God cursed them.

Now after many years of the ark being at this place called Kiriath-jearim, David decides to bring it up to Jerusalem and to do so with a great procession (v3-8). Initially, all seemed to be going well and this was a joyous occasion, but then disaster when Uzzah tried the steady the ark when the oxen pulling the cart it was on stumbled (vv9). Immediately Uzzah was struck down dead (v10). David was angry with God (v11) and in fear the ark was taken to the house of Obed-edom (v12-14).

The problem here was that Uzzah and David disregarded clear instructions given in God’s law about how the ark was to be carried. They had treated the ark, which was holy to God, in too casual a way by placing it on a cart rather than being placed on the shoulders of priests.

This reminds us that things which are holy to God, including worship have to be approached with great reverence and according to the instructions God has given us in His word. God is loving, but He is to be feared.