patriarchs and prophets-第184章
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terror fell upon the rejoicing throng。 David was astonished and greatly
alarmed； and in his heart he questioned the justice of God。 He had been
seeking to honor the ark as the symbol of the divine presence。 Why； then；
had that fearful judgment been sent to turn the season of gladness into an
occasion of grief and mourning？ Feeling that it would be unsafe to have the
ark near him； David determined to let it remain where it was。 A place was
found for it nearby； at the house of Obed…edom the Gittite。
The fate of Uzzah was a divine judgment upon the violation of a most
explicit command。 Through Moses the Lord had given special instruction
concerning the transportation of the ark。 None but the priests； the
descendants of Aaron； were to touch it； or even to look upon it uncovered。
The divine direction was； 〃The sons of Kohath shall come to bear it： but
they shall not touch any holy thing； lest they die。〃 Numbers 4：15。 The
priests were to cover the ark； and then the Kohathites must lift it by the
staves； which were placed in rings upon each side of the ark and were never
removed。 To the Gershonites and Merarites； who had in charge the curtains
and boards and pillars of the tabernacle； Moses gave carts and oxen for the
transportation of that which was committed to them。 〃But unto the sons of
Kohath he gave none： because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto
them was that they should bear upon their shoulders。〃 Numbers 7：9。 Thus in
the bringing of the ark from Kirjath…jearim there had been a direct and
inexcusable disregard of the Lord's directions。
David and his people had assembled to perform a sacred work； and they had
engaged in it with glad and willing hearts；
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but the Lord could not accept the service； because it was not performed in
accordance with His directions。 The Philistines； who had not a knowledge of
God's law； had placed the ark upon a cart when they returned it to Israel；
and the Lord accepted the effort which they made。 But the Israelites had in
their hands a plain statement of the will of God in all these matters； and
their neglect of these instructions was dishonoring to God。 Upon Uzzah
rested the greater guilt of presumption。 Transgression of God's law had
lessened his sense of its sacredness； and with unconfessed sins upon him he
had； in face of the divine prohibition； presumed to touch the symbol of
God's presence。 God can accept no partial obedience； no lax way of treating
His commandments。 By the judgment upon Uzzah He designed to impress upon all
Israel the importance of giving strict heed to His requirements。 Thus the
death of that one man； by leading the people to repentance； might prevent
the necessity of inflicting judgments upon thousands。
Feeling that his own heart was not wholly right with God； David； seeing the
stroke upon Uzzah； had feared the ark； lest some sin on his part should
bring judgments upon him。 But Obed…edom； though he rejoiced with trembling；
welcomed the sacred symbol as the pledge of God's favor to the obedient。 The
attention of all Israel was now directed to the Gittite and his household；
all watched to see how it would fare with them。 〃And the Lord blessed
Obed…edom； and all his household。〃
Upon David the divine rebuke accomplished its work。 He was led to realize as
he had never realized before the sacredness of the law of God and the
necessity of strict obedience。 The favor shown to the house of Obed…edom led
David again to hope that the ark might bring a blessing to him and to his
people。
At the end of three months he resolved to make another attempt to remove the
ark； and he now gave earnest heed to carry out in every particular the
directions of the Lord。 Again the chief men of the nation were summoned； and
a vast assemblage gathered about the dwelling place of the Gittite。 With
reverent care the ark was now placed upon the shoulders of men of divine
appointment； the multitude fell into line； and with trembling hearts the
vast procession again set forth。 After advancing six paces the trumpet
sounded a halt。 By David's direction sacrifices of 〃oxen and fatlings〃 were
to be offered。 Rejoicing now took the place of trembling and terror。 The
king had laid
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aside his royal robes and had attired himself in a plain linen ephod； such
as was worn by the priests。 He did not by this act signify that he assumed
priestly functions； for the ephod was sometimes worn by others besides the
priests。 But in this holy service he would take his place as； before God； on
an equality with his subjects。 Upon that day Jehovah was to be adored。 He
was to be the sole object of reverence。
Again the long train was in motion； and the music of harp and cornet；
trumpet and cymbal； floated heavenward； blended with the melody of many
voices。 〃And David danced before the Lord；〃 in his gladness keeping time to
the measure of the song。
David's dancing in reverent joy before God has been cited by pleasure lovers
in justification of the fashionable modern dance； but there is no ground for
such an argument。 In our day dancing is associated with folly and midnight
reveling。 Health and morals are sacrificed to pleasure。 By the frequenters
of the ballroom God is not an object of thought and reverence； prayer or the
song of praise would be felt to be out of place in their assemblies。 This
test should be decisive。 Amusements that have a tendency to weaken the love
for sacred things and lessen our joy in the service of God are not to be
sought by Christians。 The music and dancing in joyful praise to God at the
removal of the ark had not the faintest resemblance to the dissipation of
modern dancing。 The one tended to the remembrance of God and exalted His
holy name。 The other is a device of Satan to cause men to forget God and to
dishonor Him。
The triumphal procession approached the capital； following the sacred symbol
of their invisible King。 Then a burst of song demanded of the watchers upon
the walls that the gates of the Holy City should be thrown open：
〃Lift up your heads； O ye gates；
And be ye lift up； ye everlasting doors；
And the King of glory shall come in。〃
A band of singers and players answered：
〃Who is this King of glory？〃
From another company came the response：
〃The Lord strong and mighty；
The Lord mighty in battle。〃
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Then hundreds of voices； uniting； swelled the triumphal chorus：
〃Lift up your heads； O ye gates；
Even lift them up； ye everlasting doors；
And the King of glory shall come in。〃
Again the joyful interrogation was heard； 〃Who is this King of glory？〃 And
the voice of the great multitude； like 〃the sound of many waters；〃 was heard
in the rapturous reply：
〃The Lord of hosts；
He is the King of glory。〃 Psalm 24：7…10。
Then the gates were opened wide； the procession entered； and with reverent
awe the ark was deposited in the tent that had been prepared for its
reception。 Before the sacred enclosure altars for sacrifice were erected；
the smoke of peace offerings and burnt offerings； and the clouds of incense；
with the praises and supplications of Israel； ascended to heaven。 The
service ended； the king himself pronounced a benediction upon his people。
Then with regal bounty he caused gifts of food and wine to be distributed
for their refreshment。
All the tribes had been represented in this service； the celebration of the
most sacred event that had yet marked the reign of David。 The Spirit of
divine inspiration had rested upon the king； and now as the last beams of
the setting sun bathed the tabernacle in a hallowed light； his heart was
uplifted in gratitude to God that the blessed symbol of His presence was now
so near the throne of Israel。
Thus musing； David turned toward his palace； 〃to bless his household。〃 But
there was one who had witnessed the scene of rejoicing with a spirit widely
different from that which moved the heart of David。 〃As the ark of the Lord
came into the city of David； Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window；
and s
