vv 9-10. David was now afraid of the Lord, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of the Lord back into my care?” So David decided not to move the Ark of the Lord into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath.
This story, with the death of Uzzah, remains a bit of an enigma. But Uzzah is not the person in focus in this story – it is about David and his reaction to the situation that should occupy us. Did David ask God for His plan – NO, he didn’t. The writer says simply David decided… he was so angry (v 8) that he acted out of character, no time for God in this situation so David decided. Bad move David!
The very strategy that had served David so well up to this point flies out of the window. No hint of patiently waiting for God this time; anger and frustration take over; Obed-edom of Gath is suddenly landed with this dangerous object in his house. I’d love to know a bit more about this Obed-Edom; but this much we can know: in 1 Chronicles 26:8 we read ‘All of these descendants of Obed-edom, including their sons and grandsons—sixty-two of them in all—were very capable men, well qualified for their work.’
How’s that for the blessing of God on one of his faithful servants who risked all by taking the Ark into his own house when David had made a mess of things.
So a bit of research for you today: what can you find out about Obed-Edom and his family, and what were the blessings that flowed from this one act of caring for the Ark for 3 months?