The Ark of the Covenant, which was the centre piece in the holy of holies had previously been lost in battle to the Philistines but it had been returned because of God’s curse on the Philistines (1 Samuel 5-6). The ark had stayed in obscurity at the house of a man called Abinadab at Kiriath-jearim.

Now Samuel desires to bring the ark to Jerusalem and there is a great procession with 30,000 people, music and much celebration (v1-5). The day took a sad turn when a man called Uzzah touches the Ark to steady it and is struck down dead by the Lord (v6-7). David is angry and fearful and the ark is now taken to the house of Obed-edom (v8-11).

There is no mention here of David enquiring into God’s will and when we deal with the holy things of God such as His Word, His Name, the Gospel, Communion and His Worship, we need to do so cautiously and obediently.

God blesses Obed-edom and David again plans to bring the ark to Jerusalem but this time more carefully (v12-13). David is consumed by the event, dancing before the Lord and being involved in offering sacrifices (v14-19). His wife Michal despises him for this but David is not deterred (v21-22).

Are you so consumed by God that you’re willing to be counted a fool for Him?