Free press., 1907-10-05

our return. 1t may be that the ark
can come hither, for who is there
that dare bring it. Uzzah but touched
it and is dead. and l remember hear
ing my father tell of the awful things
which befel the Philistines when they
had the ark, and after that how the
men Of Bethshemesh were stricken
with grievous plague when they
looked within the ark And now this
tragedy, has fallen upon US at a time
when we would bring up the ark and
who is there dare approach unto it
more or to bring it up over the difficult
pathway of this city?" And he bowed
his head in his hands
The king sat silently and disconso-
late far into the night, and when at
last he sought his couch it was only
to find his troubled thoughts merg
ing into the most distressing dreams,
so that little rest or refreshing came
to him. And the days which followed
brought little relief, for the uneXplain-
ed mystery does not contribute to
ones peace of mind. Day after day.
yea, night after night ere slumber
came to his weary, tired brain, he
went over and over again the sad Incl
dents of Uzzahs death. He tried to
analyze his own purposes and desires
in bringing up the ark. He searched
his heart for answer t0 the many
questions which arose.
He did not doubt God He did not
feel rebellious against him. But he
did want to understand it all. 1t seem
ed as though he never again could
come into close and loving touch with
him again. His longing was after God,
and yet how dare he approach unto
him or come near to the sacred en-
blems of IsraeIs worship, or bring
them to their proper place in the
royal city if such fate as came to
Uzzah awaited him or others in Is.
rael?
He thought that the presence OF the
ark in Jerusalem would bring the
blessing and favor. of God, but how
could he now hope for such thing
when on the very journey thither the
ark brings death to those in whose
care it was placed?
How all Israel had rung with the
joy of bringing up the ark, and now
in what reproach must he be held be-
cause his plans had ended in such
disappointment and tragedy. Thus
the days passed in troubled thought.
The weeks grew to be month and
then the month stretched to two and
still no relief came to poor King
David
So it was when the third month
was drawing to a close Weary with
the struggle and the quesdOnings
which filed his heart David resolved
that he would send for the Prophet
Nathan, who in the course of his
ministry through Israel had come to
Jerusalem.
What think you concerning this
matter?' questioned David when the
man of God had come into his pres
ence. Il fear to bring up the ark,
and yet cannot be content while it
abides not in the tabernacle where
the word of the Lord which came unto
Moses declared it should be placed.
But since the Lord sInote UzZah all
the nation fears the ark as some ter
rible thing which will bring them
hurt
But thinkest thou that the judg-
ment of the Lord rests upon any who
deserve it not?'' replied Nathan.
"Knowest thou not that God must
punish a violation of the command
concerning the touching of the ark? e?
If plague came to the Philistines be-
cause they kept the ark trophy to
their gods, knowing not God neither
his law, how much more should judg-
ment be on a Levite who, instructed
as he is concerning the things of the
tabernacle, puts forth the preSump-
tuous hand and thinketh to save the
emblem of Divine presence from dis
aster?"
But there seemed danger that the
ark would fall. for the oxen shook it,
and Uzzah thoughtlessly put forth his
hand to stay it," David responded
quickly.
Yea" solemnly said the prophet.
"but thou must not forget that those
to whom God commits his sacred
trust must heed the commands of the
Lord concerning them"
Then thou thinkest that there is
nothing to fear in the presence of the
ark?" David asked eagerly.
Nathan opened his mouth to reply,
when the entrance of servant an
nouncing the arrival of a delegation
to see the king cut short his words,
as they cried, joyfully. almost before
they had made their obeisance:
let the kings heart rejoice, for
blessing has come TO the house OF
| Obededom since the ark came into his
care
Thou hast thy answer to thy ques-
ton" Nathan exclaimed, turning to
the king. Go thou and bring the
ark thither"
So David went a1d brought up the
ark of God from the house of Obededom
unto the city of David with gladness
Character in Reading.
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