St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-10-05

The king sat silently and disconso
late far into the night, and when a,
last ne sought his couch it was only
TO ind his troubled thoughts merg
ing into the most distressing dreams
SO that little rest or refreshing came
10 MIN. And the days which followed
brought little relief, for the lnexplain.
| 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 Uzzah's death. He tried to
analyze his own purposes and desires
IN bringing up the ark. He searched
MS heart for answer to the many
questions which arose.
lie did not doubt God. He did not
feel rebellious against him. But he
uld want to understand it all. 1t seem
ed as though he never again could
come into close and loving touch with
MIN again. His longing was after God,
ana yet how dare he approach unto
MN or come near to the sacred EN-.
olems of 1srael's worship, or bring
Chem te their proper place in the
royal city if such fate as came to
Uzzah awaited him or others in L.
rael?
lie 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
Wnen On the very journey thither the
ark brings death to those in whose
care 1t 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 a month and
then the month stretched to two and
stu no relief came to poor King
David.
So 1t was when the third month
was drawing to a close. Weary with
the struggle and the questionfngs
which filled 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 I'D the ark,
ana yet l cannot be content while it
abldes not in the tabernacle where
the word of the Lord which came unto
Moses declared it should be placed.
But since the Lord smote 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?
II plague came to the Philistines be. |
cause they kept the ark a trophy to |
their gods, knowing not God neither |
his law, how much more should ludg. |
ment be On 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 thoughtfessly 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
1othing to fear in the presence Of the
ark?' David asked eagerly.
Nathan opened his mouth to reply.
when the entrance of a servant all
the arrival of a delegation
% see the king cut short his words,
Is they cried, joyfully. almost before
hey had made their obeisance:
Let the kings heart rejoice, for
blessing has come to the house of
)bededom since the ark came into his
are"
Thou nast thy answer to thy ques-
ion," Nathan exclaimed, turning to
he king. Go thou and bring the
rk thither."
So David went and brought up the
rk of God from the house of Obededom
INTO the city of David with gladness.