The first move 6:1-11

Baale-judah (v. 2) may have been the later name of Kiriath-jearim (cf. Josh. 15:9-10).⁷⁶This was where the ark had evidently rested since the Israelites had moved it from Bethshemesh in Samuel's days (1 Sam. 6; cf. Ps. 132:6-8).⁷⁷

David wanted to bring the ark into his capital because it symbolized the Lord's presence. As we have seen, David did not believe superstitiously that the ark for its own sake would bring blessing wherever it went. He viewed Yahweh as the real source of blessing. However, he wanted the people to see that it was important that Israel's God, and what represented Him, should be at the center of national life. Unfortunately he did not move the ark according to the specifications of the Mosaic Law but according to customary practice (cf. 1 Sam. 6:7-8). Priests were to carry it on poles (Exod. 25:14), not on a cart. Furthermore no one was to touch it (cf. Num. 4:19-20). God's symbolic entrance into Jerusalem was a cause for great celebration. David was apparently angry because he expected God to bless his efforts. God taught him that obedience is more important than good intentions and religious ritual (1 Sam. 15:22). David learned a lesson about God's holiness, too.

"He who had experienced wonderful protection over the years from the Lord his God, and had known unusual intimacy with him, had to come to terms with the fact that he had oversteped the mark, and presumed upon the relationship, by failing to observe the regulations laid down to safeguard respect for God's holiness. Though Jesus taught us to call God our Father, he also taught us to pray hallowed be they name,' implying the need to pay careful attention lest privilege becomes presumption."⁷⁸

The death of Uzzah was a lesson similar to the deaths of Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2), Achan (Josh. 7), and Ananias and Saphira (Acts 5:1-11). All these people failed to take God seriously at the beginning of a new phase of His kingdom rule. What we do is important, but how we do it is also important. Coming close to doing God's will is not enough even though we have the best of motives; David wanted to honor God. We need to practice fanatical obedience; we need radical commitment to God's will as His disciples.

During the three months the ark stayed with Obed-edom David evidently did some Bible study and discovered how God had said His people should move it (cf. 1 Chron. 15:1-13). Obed-edom came from the Levitical town of Gath-rimmon in Dan (Josh. 21:24; 19:45). His house appears to have been on the southwestern hill of Jerusalem.⁷⁹