When studying 2 Samuel 6, we most often reference Uzzah (or even Ahio or David). Yet, there is another man who we rarely talk about in that incident. After the failed and fatal attempt to move the ark of the Lord by ox cart, “David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Hittite” (10). The ark remained at his house for three months (11). Nothing is said of Obed-edom’s character per se. We know he was a Levitical gatekeeper (1 Chron. 15:18) and later appointed a minister of the ark (1 Chron. 16:5), but we are not told why he was appointed to these roles. As much as anything, it was likely a matter of ancestry.
But there is no mistaking what happens in those three months the ark resided in his house. Scripture says that “the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household” (2 Sam. 6:11b). Again, David reflects on the situation, with others affirming to him, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God” (2 Sam. 6:12a). This news made the king glad (12b).
There are some encouraging truths gleaned from this brief notation in Scripture.
Blessed is the home where God’s presence is found (Psa. 128:1-4; Prov. 3:33; 14:11).
Scripture tells us that where the Lord is, there is not only blessing (2 Sam. 6:11-12), but peace (Num. 6:24-26), light (Psa. 36:9), refuge (Psa. 46:1), joy (Psa. 16:11), strength (Isa. 41:10), and freedom (2 Cor. 3:17).
Others are encouraged when they see the impact of God in our homes (cf. 1 Pet. 2:12; Acts 10:1-2).
The Lord actively works for good in our lives and even our possessions where He is the heart and center (Matt. 6:33).
When others see God doing good in our lives, they are encouraged to do good, too (Psa. 40:1-3).
We should be one whom others think to entrust with spiritual things–David chose Obed-Edom’s house (cf. 2 Tim. 2:2).
This account is not at all about Obed-edom as we have no further insight into his character. It is about the power of the presence of God in the home. God blesses and enhances every home where He is made to be at home. We bless everyone and everything in our home when God is firmly and visibly there! In this way, may we all strive to be like Obed-edom.
On Wednesday nights at the Andrews, North Carolina, church, I have attempted to teach about the monarchs of united and divided Israel. After we finished studying Saul, I explored David’s life and reign. In the most recent installment of this series, we discussed David’s transport of the Ark of the Covenant from Kiriath-Jearim to David’s newly established capital Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13). David didn’t follow Torah protocol when relocating the Ark of the Covenant; instead of having God’s priests carry it, he put it on the back of an ox cart. This decision by David set in motion the series of events that resulted in Uzzah’s death when he reached up to steady the Ark after the oxen jostled it. Such an outcome can more easily stir our emotions than our logic, prompting us to declare that Uzzah’s treatment was unjust.
Although God forbade the Israelites from worshiping graven or molten images, there was one physical object that they were permitted to honor: the Ark of the Covenant. This sacred artifact represented God’s Shekhinah (presence) on earth, facilitating communication with Him. We also recall the Ark’s significance on the Day of Atonement, when the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the atoning lamb on the mercy seat, which was located between the cherubim’s wings atop the Ark. During the conquest of Canaan, the Israelites took the Ark of the Covenant with them into battle as a symbol of God’s might. However, the apostate Israelites of the Judges’ Period treated the Ark as a mere talisman. This abuse of the Ark led to its temporary loss to the Philistines following their victory over Israel at Aphek (1 Samuel 4).
Therefore, it becomes clear that God did not overlook Uzzah’s good intentions when he tried to prevent the Ark from falling off the ox cart. Instead, the dishonor David and company showed God kindled His anger because of this act. People treated this holy representation of God with great disrespect, as though they were hauling around a load of potatoes on a simple wooden cart with oxen. While God had overlooked the Philistines’ treatment of the Ark when they returned it similarly (1 Samuel 6), He had expected more from His covenant people. This carefree attitude towards the Ark of the Covenant ultimately led Uzzah to believe he could reach out and touch it without consequence.
It wasn’t the first time God made it abundantly clear that He demanded holiness. For instance, He incinerated Nadab and Abihu for offering an unapproved type of fire, as recorded in Leviticus 10.1. On that occasion, Moses reminded the men’s father, Aaron, of God’s words: “By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored” (Leviticus 10.3 NASB1995). Even Moses missed out on the Promised Land for failing to give God the glory when he disobeyed God’s instructions for procuring water for the Israelites since his actions could not give God credit for supplying their needs (Numbers 20.12). Thus, David had ample examples to know that the things of God required the utmost reverence and care. Therefore, it is all the more puzzling that David, who typically sought God’s approval before acting, committed such a blunder here.
So, what is our application for Christians living today? I would suggest that there is something very holy from God that people too often treat profanely today. There are certain circumstances when people are not afraid to use the word “casual” when discussing certain assemblies. I am speaking of the church. As the Ark contained the ten commandments, Paul describes the church as the “pillar and support of the truth” (1 Timothy 3.15 NASB1995). This same passage teaches that the church is the household of God! As the Ark contained the manna that God used to sustain the Israelites, the church is where we partake of the Bread of Life (see John 6). And as the budding rod of Aaron within the Ark reminded the Israelites of God’s chosen priesthood, we are reminded that we who comprise the church are God’s holy priesthood today (1 Peter 2.9–10).In closing, the lessons from the time of David, Uzzah, and the Ark of the Covenant are not mere historical narratives; they are instructive for our relationship with God today. As David learned painfully, God’s holy nature demands our profound respect and obedience. This story encourages us, as modern-day believers, to examine how we approach that sacred institution God’s Son purchased with His blood (Acts 20.28). God’s word reminds us to live our faith with reverence and awe, understanding that we should not lightly take God’s presence. Like the Israelites of old, God calls us to honor Him in our actions and to treat the church with the respect and reverence she deserves as the bride of Christ (Isaiah 54.5; Revelation 21.2; Ephesians 5.22ff). Thus, as we go about our worship and service in the church, may we do so with the awareness that we are engaging with the living God, who calls us into a relationship marked by reverence, love, and obedience.
The ark of the covenant is a well-known object even among the non-religious, thanks to Hollywood. The depiction on the big screen has been exaggerated and romanticized for entertainment purposes, and that’s a shame. The ark of God is interesting enough without the unnecessary special effects. While many in the church are familiar with Uzzah’s fatal and infamous mistake (2 Samuel 6.7), there are several other accounts involving the ark that aren’t as commonly reviewed.
The Ark Is Stolen
It all began when the Philistines had taken the ark after the Israelites go into battle without consulting the Lord. These are the humbling events that showcase God’s power and holiness following the theft of the ark.
God strikes the citizens of Ashdod with tumors (1 Sam. 5.6)
God strikes the citizens of Gath with tumors (1 Sam. 5.8)
Destruction and death fall on the city of Ekron as the ark passed through (1 Sam. 5.11-12)
After the ark reaches Beth Shemesh the men of the town take a peak inside the ark and *50,070 (see explanation at end of this article) are struck dead (1 Sam. 6.19)
All of the death and disease show us the seriousness and obedience required of God’s people. It’s not just about a mysterious wooden box covered in gold— it was an object meant to train the Israelites to think properly about their Lord. Many applications can be made for us today as well.
The Hebrews writer explains that things are different now (Heb. 4.14-16). God’s response to all those who are disobedient to Him aren’t always immediately avenged but we shouldn’t assume that God feels differently— vengeance still belongs to Him (Heb. 10.30).
God also tells us that He is unchanging in His nature (Heb. 13.8).
It’s thanks to Jesus that we are able to approach God with confidence. It’s Jesus we ought to thank for the grace and forgiveness we receive because of His sacrifice (Heb. 4.16).
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Note: *50,070
“and he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the LORD. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great blow” (1 Sam. 6.19).
The ESV as well as several other translations use the number “seventy” rather than “fifty thousand and seventy.” While there are a few explanations for this, here are the abbreviated leading takes.
Some believe the scribes were unsure of the number and so copied the text with slight variation.
Similarly, some believe that “three score and ten” or “fifty thousand and seventy” was originally found in the margins of the scrolls by early scribes. Later, scribes placed the commentary into the text.
Some believe the number should be translated “seventy” because Josephus seemed to hold this view (Antiquities of the Jews, Book VI).
“…although it cannot be proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the 50,070 figure is erroneous, there is the very real possibility that either (1) the Hebrew has been misunderstood, or (2) a copyist made an error in the transmission process.”
– Eric Lyons, M. Min
“Nowhere else is a figure like 50,070 written in this fashion according to the grammar of biblical Hebrew. Normally the wording would have been either…“seventy man and fifty thousand man” or else in the descending order—which was far more usual…“fifty thousand man and seventy man” (Archer, 1982, p. 169, Apologetics Press, Art. ‘Death at Beth Shemesh).
While this may seem trivial to some and worrisome to others, one can take comfort knowing that we have everything we need for life and godliness (1 Pt. 1.3). That’s the view held by the other authors on this blog as well as each member of the Lord’s church sited/quoted here.
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