Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-09-19

The King sal 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 car,c
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 Uzzah's death. He tried to
analyze his " purposes and desires
in bringing up the ark. He searched
his heart for answer to the many
questions which arose,
He did not doubt God. He did not
feet rcbellious against him. But he
did want to understand 1t all. 1t seem.
ed as though he never again could
come into close and loving touch with
him again. His longing vas after God.
and yet how dare he approach unto
him or come near to the sacred EN-.
blems of Israe!s 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 rum 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
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 questionings
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 up the ark,
and yet | cannot be content while IL
abides 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 1t not?" replied Nathan.
"Knowest thou not that God must
punish a violation Of the command
concerning the touching of the ark?
If 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 judg-
ment be on a Levite who, instructed
as he is concerning the things of the
tabernacle, puts forth the pTesump.
tuous hand and thinketh to a V the
emblem of Divine presence from dis
aster?'
But there seemed danger hat the
ark would fall, for the oxen shook II,
and Uzzah th%oughtlessly 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 a 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 and brought up the
ark of God from the house OF Obededom
unto the city Of David with ~gladness.