The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-16


Ahio went before, probably leading the
oxen, as in some ancient Egyptian bas re-
hefs and Uzzah walked near the ark.
Verse 5-The Procession.-Dsvid and his
thirty thousand men, followed the ark, play
ing upon instruments of fr-wood. This
wood was used by the ancient Egyptians and
is popular in our own day, in the manufac.
ture of musical instruments. "Harps and
"psalterers" were stringed instruments;
" timbels, modern tambourines, of the
drum class; d" comets" not horns, but tink-
ling instruments played by shaking; Gym
balls, the same that are now called by this
name, instruments beaten together.
Verse 6, T-Uzzah Standardization, at
whose threshing floor this Judgment fell upon
Uzzah, is called Chidon in Chronicles. The
act of Uzzah at first seems natural and from
proper motives. He put his hand upon the
ark to prevent it from falling, when the oxen
stumbled. Yet God was angry with him,
and "smote him for his error. "The
severity of Uzzah's fate may seem to US too
great for the nature and degree of the
offence but it does not become US to sit in
Judgment on the dispensations of God; and
besides it was apparent that the divine pur-
pose was to inspire awe of his majesty, a
submission to his law, and profound ven
GRAFTON for the symbols and ordinances of
his worship" JamiesOn.-There are some
other considerations not to be overlooked.
Uzzah was not probably either a priest or
Levite, and had no right to usurp the sacred
Office, (see Sam. vii: 1, 2 Beth, shemesh
was city of priests, but its inhabitants had
thrust off the ark, upon the heather city
of Baal," still occupied by the heather
GibeOnites, Josh. tx: II, 49, probably still
sacred to Baal's worship. 1t is at least
significant that in the history of the removal
of the ark, the old heather name, is used,
and not the Israelite name Kirjathjearim.
One from this idolatrous place, corrupted by
idolatrous associations, must not conduct the
ark to the sacred city. Or if he was a
Levite, he ought to have known that he was
expressly forbidden to touch the ark upon
pain of death, Mum. iv: IS Or making
the most favorable, and most improbable
supposition, that he had pious regard for
the ark, he lacked faith, not being willing to
trust it to God; he broke solemn law, doing
evil that good might come; he laid his hand
profanely upon the ark, when the memory
of the Judgment upon the Beth-shemites,
priests and LeviteS though they were, for
looking upon the ark, was fresh in the mem
DRY of his family. Il Sam. vi: 1921.
Remarks: l. We should not break Gods
law to save His ark, even if it seems to US
to be endangered
2. We cannot prOfane what God has made
holy, without guilt
3. What more sacred than His holy name
He will not hold him guiltless that taketh it
in vain.
4. If the "ark of the covenant" be so sa-
cred, much more the "bloOd of the covenant, F."
Heb. x; 29.)
5. We may not introduce innovations,
where God gives plain commands. 1t is lay
ing profane hands upon the ark.
Verses s, 9-Efsct upon David.-"DaVid
was displeased," more correctly "grieved;"
for even if there was sinful anger in the first
emotion, it led to inquiry and to repentance,
(See I Chron. XIV: l, 49, He gave the place
the name of Perez uzzah, "breach of Uzzah, I"
which it retained when this book was written
("to this day, and Josephus says even to
his day. David was awed by the calamity,
and would go no farther now in the execu,
ton of his purpose.
Verses 10, 11-Ark an the house of Obed-
edOm,-~Re was LeVite Il Chron. XIV: Is,
q, "a, called the Gittite probably from
Gathrimmon a Levite city, Gosh. xxi; "a,
25 This pious Levite seems te have well
coined the ark; and it proved the richest
blessing. He and his house were prospered.
Remark-The ark was the symbol of
Gods presence and favor. The greatest
blessing to family is in His presence in the
house. Let His worship always have
place there.
Verses 12-15-Te Ark brought to Zion.
The report of Gods blessing the house of
Obed edom in consequence of the presence
of the ark, removed David's fears, and led
to bis carrying the ark up to the city of Da-
vid, three months after the first effort
Meanwhile he had prepared tabernacle for
it in Jerusalem had looked into the require
ments of the law; and made preparation that
all should be done latter due ORDER" that
the priests and Levites should be assigned
their proper parts, and duly Sancti6ed. All
the appointments on this occasion were CON-
plete and orderly, Il ChrOn. XIV.
When the ark had been borne ''six PAGES,
and it was obvious that God "helped the |