March 20, 2024

David decided it was time to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. However, they didn't follow God's command for the priests to shoulder it with the staves and instead put it on a new cart. When the cart jostled, Uzzah reached out to stabilize it and was struck dead. David became so upset over Uzzah's death that he left it there, and Obededom kept it in his home. Three months later, when David found out that Obededom's family was prospering because of his willingness to house the Ark, he and a large precession of people went there to retrieve it. This time, they followed the law and treated it more reverently. It was a great day of joy, praise, and sacrifice. As they carried the Ark six paces, David stopped and sacrificed a calf and other fattened animals. The people played music, and David danced before the Lord. It was a glorious day of merriment and rejoicing. However, David's wife, Michal, was not impressed and was embarrassed because David had stripped off his robes and danced before everyone while wearing the ephod. She brought down the temperature of joy that was in David's heart over the Lord. We all know people who put a negative spin on everything, but unfortunately, because of Michal's attitude, she never had any children. 

When looking at Uzzah's death, we see that good intentions are not an excuse for sin. Uzzah's irreverence struck him dead. David's disappointment in God's harsh punishment for a seemingly simple mistake was not becoming of a man after God's own heart, but it did help Obededom. Be careful not to blame God for your disappointing situation because his will is perfect, and all things work together for the good of all who love him.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. 2 Samuel 6:14-15