61 Now David again e gathered all the chosen men of Israel , thirty thousand . 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah , to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name , the very name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim . 3 They placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill ; and Uzzah and Ahio , the sons of Abinadab , were leading the new cart . 4 So they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab , which was on the hill ; and Ahio was walking ahead of the ark . 5 Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood , and with lyres , harps , tambourines , castanets and cymbals .
6 But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon , Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. 7 And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah , and God struck him down there for his irreverence ; and he died there by the ark of God . 8 David became angry because e of the Lord'S outburst e against Uzzah , and that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day . 9 So David was afraid of the Lord that day ; and he said , "How can the ark of the Lord come to me?" 10 And David was unwilling e to move the ark of the Lord into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 6:1-10
Commentary on 2 Samuel 6:1-5
(Read 2 Samuel 6:1-5)
God is present with the souls of his people, when they want the outward tokens of his presence; but now David is settled in the throne, the honour of the ark begins to revive. Let us learn hence, to think and to speak highly of God; and to think and speak honourably of holy ordinances, which are to us as the ark was unto Israel, the tokens of God's presence, Matthew 28:20. Christ is our Ark; in and by him God manifests his favour, and accepts our prayers and praises. The ark especially typified Christ and his mediation, in which the name of Jehovah and all his glories are displayed. The priests should have carried the ark upon their shoulders. Philistines may carry the ark in a cart without suffering for it; but if Israelites do so, it is at their peril, because this was not what God appointed.
Commentary on 2 Samuel 6:6-11
(Read 2 Samuel 6:6-11)
Uzzah was struck dead for touching the ark. God saw presumption and irreverence in Uzzah's heart. Familiarity, even with that which is most awful, is apt to breed contempt. If it were so great a crime for one to lay hold on the ark of the covenant who had no right to do so, what is it for those to lay claim to the privileges of the covenant that come not up to the terms of it? Obed-edom opened his doors without fear, knowing the ark was a savour of death unto death to those only who treated it wrong. The same hand that punished Uzzah's proud presumption, rewarded Obed-edom's humble boldness. Let none think the worse of the gospel for the judgments on those that reject it, but consider the blessings it brings to all who receive it. Let masters of families be encouraged to keep up religion in their families. It is good to live in a family that entertains the ark, for all about it will fare the better.