The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 162

proper thought nnd e. higher will. 2. With rashness, irreverence, and profanity; begotten of long fomilio.rity with the venerable relic (see 1 Sam. vi. 19). He looked upon it o.e little other the.n a piece of sacred furniture. 3. In a spirit of official pride and presumption, ae its hereditary guardie.n and immediate conductor. "Perhaps he affected to show before this great assembly how bold he could make with the ark, having been so long acquainted with it" (Matthew Henry). Men of high position, great possessions, and eminent gifts in the Church, sometimes display a. similar spirit, and even affect to patronize the worship of God I 4. With improper anxiety about the means of progress and success, and wane of faith in the Divine presence and might. "In our own days there are not awanting men like Uzzah, who a.et a.s if it were all over with Christianity if they did not maintain it against the power of modem negations." Their zeal is shown in various ways. But " this zeal, notwithstanding its good intention, is yet unholy, because it is as faint-hearted as it is presumptuous. The Lord needs not euch helpers" (Krummacher). III. A STARTLING JUD0MENT. "And the anger of Jehovah was kindled, . . . and he died there by the ark of God." A flash of lightning, an apoplectic stroke, or other secondary cause, was the instrument thereof; in the presence of all Israel, and even before the mercy-seat, he suffered the penalty of his error (" rashness,'' ver. 7); and the spot where he fell became a monument of the wrath of God and his power to protect his "holy things" (Ezek. xxii. 8). 1. On those who continue to break the Divine Law "the fiery indignation," though long delayed, breaks forth suddenly and "without remedy" (Heb. x. 31). 2. Punishment is most severe on those who are most honoured, and who ought to be a pattern to others of reverence and obedience (Numb. iii. 4; 1 Sam. v. 6; vi. 19; 2 Chron. xxvi. 21; Acts v. 5; xii. 23). 3. The conse- quences of sin reveal the measure of its sinfulness. 4. The judgment inflicted on one affects many, and represents their desert. The procession was stopped, the enterprise hindered, rejoicing turned into mourning, "and great fear came upon all" (Acts v. 11). "When many have sinned God commonly punishes one or two of the leaders, in order that others may remember their sin and beg forgiveness" (Osiander). Judgment is mingled with mercy. The punishment of one is for the good of many. IV. A SALUTARY ADMONITION. 1. To consider the awful holiness and majesty of the great King (Mai. i. 11, 14); "for our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. xii. 29). 2. To learn the spiritual meaning and sanctity of his ordinances. 3. To cherish a spirit of profound humility and reverence in his service. 4. To exercise repentance and trust, and new and faithful obedience to his will in all things. Then- " Jehovah will give strength to his people ; Jehovah will bless hie people with peace." (Pa. xxiL 11.) D. Vera. 9, 10 (1 Chron. xiii. 12, 13).-(PEREz-UzZAH.) The ark regarded, with a fearful heart. "And David was afraid of the Lord that day" (ver. 9). By none was "the disaster of Uzzah" more keenly felt than by the king. He was disappointed. grieved, and displeased at the interrnption of the enterprise on which he had set his heart; and, clearly perceiving the primary offence that had been committed, he was angry with all who were responsible for it, not least with himself (2 Cor. vii. 11). "The burning of David's anger was not directed against God, but referred to the calamity which had befallen Uzzah, or, speaking more correctly, to the cause of the calamity which David attributed to himself or to his undertaking" (Keil). His attitude of soul toward Jehovah "that day" was not, indeed, altogether what it should have been. Conscious of sinfulness and liability to err, he was full of apprehension of a similar judgment on himself, if he should receive the ark; and his.fear (though springing up in a devout heart) was an oppressive, paralyzing, superstitious terror, like that of the men of Beth- shemesh (1 Sam. vi. 20), rather than an enlightened, submissive, and becoming reverence. "'l'his was his infirmity; though some will have it to be his humility" ~Trnpp). We thus see wherein/ea!' is- I. Nm.mFUL. It is as natural and proper a motive as gratitude, hope, or love; is often enjoined; and, in the sense of unbounded reverence, it constitutes "the religious lee;ing iu its fundamental form" (Martensen). To men in their present condition it is  166 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [err. VI, 1-23.