Insufficiency of Good Intentions

Reflections on 2 Samuel 6:1-11
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Good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence if they lack understanding.
-- Albert Camus

Since the days of Samuel, the ark had been in Baalah of Judah (Kirjath-Jearim). The Philistines had taken the ark to Philistia after capturing it in battle, but they set it on a cart after experiencing God's wrath, and the milk cows had taken the cart to Beth Shemesh in Israel. From there, the ark was taken to Baalah (Kirjath-jearim) seven or eight miles west of Jerusalem, where it had been neglected for about two generations. David did not think it should be neglected any longer, and after consulting with the leaders of Israel, decided to bring the ark to Jerusalem (see 1 Chronicles 13:1-4). David showed the sincerity of his intentions in four ways.

AN HONOR GUARD. David took thirty thousand "chosen" soldiers to accompany the ark of God to Jerusalem. The best in all Israel gave honor to the God of their fathers.

A NEW CART. David did not use some farmer's old cart that would have defiled the holy ark set upon it. Rather, out of sincere respect, he prepared a "new cart" for this sacred chest with the wings of the cherubim spreading over the mercy seat.

WHOLEHEARTED CELEBRATION. Rejoicing with thanksgiving, David and the people of Israel celebrated "with all their might" as is appropriate for worshiping God.

CONSCIENTIOUS CARE. When the oxen stumbled on a threshing floor, Uzzah conscientiously reached out to steady the ark lest it fall and be damaged.

Uzzah had good intentions, as did David and all Israel, yet the Lord's anger burned against Uzzah for what he did, and the Lord struck him down so that he died there beside the ark. At first, David was angry. What happened seemed a harsh penalty for a person seeking to protect the ark of God. It also seemed an insult to David's intentions. But then David was overcome with reverent fear. Because of his fear, he left the ark of God in the care of Obed-Edom, a Levite living nearby, and returned home to seek the heart of the Lord. There in the presence of God and his word, David learned how to bring his intentions into conformity with the will of God.