The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 170

lying ~o long neglected (1 Chron. xiii. 3)? But, surely, those who b&d the care of the ark ought to have known the l&w <>f God respecting it, or searched it out diligently when a new dep&rture we.s oontcmpl&ted, th&t they might both &et rightly themselves and prevent the king from copying the Philistines (1 Sam. vi. 7) instead of obeying the Divine L&w. In the swift punishment th&t followed Uzz&b's net, the memorable maxim was again, and most impressively, proclaimed, "To obey is better than i;acrifice " (1 Sam. xv. 22)-better than the most splendid pageant in honour of religion from which obedience is &bsent. 2. lrrevert'JW6. The ark was one of the most sacred things in the religion of Israel. It was a symbol of God's presence, his local dwelling- place, "c&lled by the Name, even the Name of the LoRD of hosts, that sitteth upon the cherubim" (ver. 2, Revised Version); a witness, therefore, for him: an assurance th&t be was with them while they were loyal and obedient; the central point of worship and nation&l life. It was, therefore, to be treated with utmost reverence. In the services of religion it was, as a witness for the invisible God, to be itself invisible, conce!Lled by the second veil ; it was to be approached only by the high priest, and by him only once a year, and with incense, the smoke of which should prevent his beholding it (Lev. xvi. 13). But it bad long been separated from its proper place in the tabernacle, and kept in a private house, the inmates of which had probably become so familiar with it that they ceased to cherish due reverence for it. Hence the rash act of Uzzah .. True, the temptation was sudden and strong. But so are many temptations. A.II the more need to cherish such habitual piety, self-control, and watchfulness, as shall preserve us in the hour of peril. The recollection of the circumstances under which the ark had been brought into the house of Abinadab should have been sufficient to arrest the impulse to lay hold of it (1 Sam. vL 19-21). 3. Presumption. In pushing himself forward without warrant, and against the law, to preserve the ark from injury. Better to have left it to the care of him to whom it belonged, and who had shown in former days his care for it and bis power to protect it (1 Sam. v.). It was an instance of zeal without knowledge &nd faith, &nd in which self was prominent rather than God. Il. THE DEATH OF UzzAH WAS FOR THE INSTRUCTION AND WARNING OF DAVID AND BIS PEOPLE. David WILB seeking to revive and re-establish religion, and this act of God appeared to be a hindrance to his good design; but in fact it tended to promote it more effectually thlLn all the measures of the king. 1. It was an impressive demonstration that Jehovah their God was still among them, the living God, the .Almighty, the Holy One, observing and punishing sin. It showed that his laws were still living laws, not obsolete, though forgotten; tb&t the sacred things which be had 1Lppointed were still sacred in his eyes, however neglected, and were to be so esteemed by the people ; that, in particular, the ark was still the symbol and pledge of his living presence, as a God to be approached and worshipped with reverence, yet also with confidence in the covenant of which it was the sign. Thus the impression produced by the terrible event wuuld tend to the revival of religiouB faith and feeling, and secure that David's endeavours should not end in the establishment of a mere ritual, however orderly and stately, but in sincere worship and corresponding life. It was not the first time, nor would it be the last, that the revival of religion beg&n with terrible judgments. We also need a living faith in the living God-faith in his relation to us and presence with us; faith in his love, awakening our confidence and affection; faith also in bis majesty, holiness, and justice, &wakening our "reverence and godly fear." To this end we should meditate on the awe-inspiring aspects of the Divine character and government, u they appear in nature and providence and i!l the inspired book. Otherwise our religicn is likely to become a weak, superficial, and sentimental thing, without depth and power. 2. It was a warning that was adapted to guide and restrain the 1'eligious zeal of the king. There was danger that, in bis ardent desire for the re-establishment of the national worship with fitting circumstances of splendour and orderliness, he should not pay due attention to the instructions of the Law, but should violate the will of God in the endeavour to pay to him and secure for him due honour. Uzzah's death would teach him that the Divine will must be first regarded. He learnt this lesson so far as the mode of removing the ark WILB concerned. He could scarcely fail to keep it in mind in all his subsequent proceedings. Great zeal for religion has ever a similar peril Under its inttuence there is danger of adopting-, with the best intentions, me&ns and methods which are not according to the Divine Word. The most powerful persona r,H, vr. 1-23.J TI-rn SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 175