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 . 11 Thus the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months , and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 6:6-11
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.