Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-10-03
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments for Octo.
Der 4.
Scbicc; David Brings Up the Ark, z Sam.
vi, l.l2-Golden Text, Psa. S4.4-Memory
Verses, II, l3-Comc,entary on The
Days Lesson.

"Again. a former gathering s' was vas; at He:
bron when David was anointcd king.
Thirty thousand" Representatives of the
whole people. David called for the chief
men and sent notice throughout the whole
cialy to the priests and Levtes. to as
semble together to assist in this important
work. Read Chron. l3. "Arlz Of God"
Notice the deep reverence in this phrase.
The ark did not belong to David or Israel;
it was Gods. Whose name. is called"
Better, as in R. y, which is called by
hosts" "Dwelleth between the cherub.
ms" "That stitch upon the cherubim.'
r. V. "Cherubim'' is the Hebrew plural
form Of cherub. The cherubs represented
Gods presence.
So. "Ihey set the ark of God upon a
new cart" This was contrary to the legal
which it was always to be carried by the
Lcvites and yelled or covered from sight.
In this case Israel probably initiated the
Phoenician or Philistine custom. In this
manner they sent the ark from their bor-
de:s. The Phocnicians had sacred carts
and the oxen we're secured to Baal. Glib
cab" A hill of Firiath-icarim called by
that name. "Uzzah and Ahio." Probably
the grandscns of Eeazar, the son of Abina-
dab, who were set arart to keep the ark.
went before" While Uzzah walked at
guide. and manage them, as the lBasQues
may be seen at the present day doing in
the south of France. "Before the Lord
The ark symboiiZed Gods presence. and
those who went before the ark are referred
to as going before the Lord. "Ipstru-
5nents." The whole procession, David at
the head, moved forward with music, song
and Toncn II Chron 13.2)
II. Uzzah's error Tvs Coy. G., 7. "Thresh-
in@-foor." A fixed threshing-hoor, which
did not change its place like the summer
floor Dan. $3.50; and therefore probably
had roof and stock Of fodder. "uzzah
were forbidden to touch the ark on pain
Of death Mum: 4:l5-20). "Oxen STUN
bled." The roads are very rough in Pal
estine, and the ark was evidently about
to be thrown from the cart when Uzzah
took hold of it. "Anger of the Lord"
Not passion. but rather indicnation-that
feeling which makes. Him hate sin and
The error consisted in touching the ark.
which, as the symbol of Gods presence Il
Sam. 40, none could look into (Nnm.
4:20; Sam. 6:19). much less lay hold of
without peril of life. For transportation
purposes it was first covered IN nv the
that with faces covered (Num. ais. 2O).
and carried on slaves. But surprising that
it had been overturned. would not Uzzah
have been as liable to punishment for suf-
fering that as for taking forbidden means
Of preventing it? Surely not. He might
of conveyance which exposed the ark to
such an accident. but not for emitting
what he vas forbidden to do in order to
prevent that accident. 'There he died"
The reasons for this severity were: ~
That it grew out of q procedure which
was in direct violation of an express statute
(Num. 4:l5: 7:9) which required that the
and those in care of the ark should have
known this law. 1t is quite possible that
in his delight in restoring the ancient
religion. he forgot the law, and felt that
the work itself was SO good and glorious
as to make amends for any neglect as to
long had charge of the ark. should have
been familiar with the law forbidding him
to touch it. Possibly long familiarity with
the ark had bred carelessness and irrever-
encc. for the sacred symbol. (3) Uzzah
stood in Representative Iosition: What
people. 1t was fragrant violation of Gods
command. 1t was needful at the outset TO
prove to the people the necessity of exact
obedience, and hence of careful study of
Gods law. A neglect now would lead to
greater. neglects to any changes individuals
sacredness and teachings Of the divine in.
S. Q. "Displcased" He was mortified
and chagrined at the sudden and unhappy
Interruption Of the triumphal procession.
He was NOS angry against God. but with
himself for neglect and carelessness in al
lowing the ark. to be removed in this way.
Made breach" Violently interposed in
a sudden stroke Of divine JUDGMENT. "Pe-
rez-uzzah." The word "Perez," or
..breach," conveyed to the Hebrews the
idea of a great calamity. Afraid" Fear
or terror followed his anger, lest the judg-
ments of God were not yet ended and
would be. ext ended to himself and people.
He saw. that he had not followed the direc-
tons of the law and prepared his people
for the solemn undertaking. 'How shall"
etc. Had David asked this question sooner
it would have been better. He row ex-
hibits humility and admits his guilt. He
ton in his conduct.
III. The blessed household Tvs. .1o-laA
1912. "Would not remove" Not for the
present, fearing he might make some other
mistake. House Of ObededoE." Very
near, the city. He was, a Lcvite Of the
Of the family of kohath. THE Lord
blessed" etc. !oseephus asserts that during
this interval Obed-edom passed from pow:
eerty to wealth, and that all who saw his
household, or heard the report OF his
wealth. were agreed in considering him
specially favored by the Lord. "David
vent" Read l Chron. chapters Is. 1C.
David had taken three months to study
the law, and now he was prepared to bring
the ark to Jerusalem in proper manner.
". The ark enters Jerusalem Tvs. u.
l9). This was the greatest day in David's
life. 1t was turning point in the history
of the nation. At every few rods of the
march the procession would halt. and
there were religious sacrifices at every
halt. "The ark advanced like the chariot
of a great conqueror, ascending the
sacred hill of triumph" There We're
summoned to assist at this ceremony the
high priests Zadoll and Abiathar. the heads
of the six Levitcal families, with large
company of ther relatives. and many from
all the tribes of Israel. There were music
End an fngng ga and phyd , hmsef n changed
Joined heartily in the music. Psalm "A IS