Good intentions, with unsanctified minds

[2 Sam. 6:2] And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
There is no doubt that David’s intentions were noble and good in bringing the ark to Jerusalem. Not that his kingdom was established, he did not forget his earlier vow to return the ark to its rightful place of prominence.
A significant omission in the first three verses sets the scene for failure for he conferred with each of his officers instead of inquired of the L-rd. There was no need to consult these men. G-d had already given clear instructions in Num. 4:5-6 as to how to move the ark. It should be covered with a veil, to shield the holiness of G-d from any kind of rash intrusion, and then carried on poles on the shoulders of the Levites according to Num. 7:9.
David had a better idea; one he had learned from the pagan Philistines and he put it on a new cart. G-d had never said anything about using a new cart. This was a human invention contrary to the will and Law of G-d.
Surely this passage warns that it is not enough to have a worthy purpose and a proper spirit when we enter into the service of G-d; G-d’s work must also be performed in G-d’s way. Pursuing the right end does not automatically imply using the right means.
Uzzah fearing that the ark was in danger of being overturned, Uzzah, under the impulse of momentary feeling, laid hold of it to keep it steady.
The Father had plainly taught that even the Kohathites, the Levite family designated to carry the ark, must not touch the holy things or they would die in Num. 4:15. Even if Uzzah were not a Kohathite or even a Levite, he still would know what the Law taught in Num. 4 & 7. G-d not only keeps His promises, but He also fulfills His threats!
When the Philistines, who had no access to the special revelation of G-d, sinned by touching the ark and using a new cart to transport it, G-d’s anger did not burn against them. Therefore, G-d is more merciful toward those less knowledgeable of His will than toward those who are.
Uzzah’s motive, like David’s, was pure; but he disregarded the written Word of G-d, just as David did. Thus one sin led to another. Good intentions, with unsanctified minds, interfere with the kingdom of G-d. This is especially true of the worship of G-d and the concept of His holiness.
Because G-d is holy, He is free of all moral imperfections. A sharp line of separation was drawn between holy things and the common or propane. Our word profane means ‘before’ or ‘forth from the Temple.’ Thus all that was apart from the Temple, where the holiness of G-d was link, was by definition profane. Uzzah’s act made the holiness associated with the ark also profane and therefore brought disrepute to G-d as well.
To take something holy and inject into it the realm of the profane was to confuse the orders of G-d. The prone is not only in opposition to the holiness of G-d’ it confuses the secular and the sacred. Obedience is preferable to learning that G-d and His Word remain true when we insist on being foolish.
The oxen shook it or, “stumbled” (1 Chronicles 13:9). The oxen stumbled as they came to the threshing floor of Nacon. Perhaps that was a cultic place, and the stumbling of the oxen was the sign of the presence of some spirit there, a relic of some primitive animistic belief. Perez was probably the name of the deity in that place.
Uzzah and Ahio, as the sons of a priest and also responsible for driving the new cart with the ark of G-d on it, should have been consecrated for that special task. Still, Uzzah is killed.
Whether it fell and crushed him, or some sudden disease attacked him, he fell dead upon the spot. This sad occurrence not only threw a cloud over the joyous scene, but also entirely stopped the procession; for the ark was left where it then was, in the near neighborhood of the capital. It is of importance to observe the fair sternness of the punishments attending the sacrilege of the ark. The Philistines suffered by diseases, from which their oblations relieved them, because the law had not been given to them (1 Samuel 5:8-12); the Bethshemites also suffered, but not fatally (1 Samuel 6:19); their error proceeded from ignorance or inadvertency. But Uzzah, who was a Levite, and well instructed, suffered death for his breach of the Law. The severity of Uzzah’s fate may seem to us too great for the nature and degree of the offense. But it does not become us to sit in judgment on the dispensations of G-d; and, besides, it is apparent that the divine purpose was to inspire awe of His majesty, a submission to His Law, and a profound veneration for the symbols and ordinances of His worship.
David feelings on this alarming judgment were greatly excited on various accounts, dreading that the displeasure of G-d had been provoked by the removal of the ark, that the punishment would be extended to himself and people, and that they might fall into some error or neglect during the further transportation of the ark. He resolved, therefore, to wait for more light and direction as to the path of duty. An earlier session by Urim would have led him right at the first, whereas in this bewilderment and distress, he was reaping the fruits of inconsideration and neglect. He took the time to study the Law for three months before proceeding.
The lapse of three months not only restored the agitated mind of the monarch to calm and settled tone, but led him to a discovery of his former error. Having learned that the ark was kept in its temporary resting-place not only without inconvenience or danger, but with great advantage, he resolved forthwith to remove it to the capital, with the observance of all due form and seriousness (1 Chronicles 15:1-13). It was transported now on the shoulders of the priests, who had been carefully prepared for the work, and the procession was distinguished by extraordinary solemnities and demonstrations of joy. According to Ex. 25:13-15 the ark was carried by people on two poles with four rings (1 Kgs. 8:7-8).
Entering the city with dancing, shouting and the blowing of the shofer. The entry of the ark into the capital city would therefore have symbolized for David and the people Yahweh’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem as its king.
One must do the research before proceeding for it is better to do it right the first time around – and do it G-d’s way.