Happy Sunday, friend!

It's time to dive into this week's Come Follow Me reading: 1 Samuel 17-18; 24-26; 2 Samuel 5-7!

And friend, this week things are getting ruthless!!!

Poor Uzzah was just trying to keep the Ark of the Covenant safe, and he got zapped on the spot. Have you ever wondered why? Make sure to check out this week’s FAQ to find out!

This week's video: God Promised David the Throne. Getting There Almost Killed Him. Watch it here!

5 Key Events David, who isn’t even old enough to fight in the army, defeats Goliath (1 Samuel 17) David becomes increasingly popular, and King Saul becomes jealous (1 Samuel 18) Saul tries to kill David multiple times. When David has the chance to kill Saul, he refuses (1 Samuel 24–26) David becomes king over all Israel, and the Israelites enter a golden era (2 Samuel 5) David offers to build a permanent temple to house the ark of the covenant, but the Lord does not ask David to do so (2 Samuel 7)

3 Key Scriptures ​1 Samuel 17:34-37​ ​1 Samuel 17:44-50​ 1 Samuel 24:12​ Dive into one or more of these verses all week long with my Verse Mapping Study Guide!

Questions your kids (or church class) might ask: Why was Uzzah killed for trying to steady the ark?

Back in the days of Moses, a strict commandment had been given regarding the transportation of the Ark of the Covenant:

1. It was to be carried by Levite priests, specifically those in the family of Aaron’s grandfather Kohath (Numbers 4:4-5)
2. The priests were to carry it on their shoulders using poles that went through rings built into the ark (Exodus 25:12-14; Numbers 7:9)
3. During transport, the ark was to remain covered by the veil of the temple, animal skins, and a blue cloth (Numbers 4:5-6)
4. They were not to touch the ark directly, “lest they die” (Numbers 4:15)

When David established Jerusalem as the new capital of Israel, he had the ark of the covenant transported from Abinadab’s house, where it had been for 20 years (2 Samuel 6:3). The entire situation went against God’s previous commandments.

1. The ark was transported by Abinadab’s sons, who (if this is the same Abinadab in 1 Chronicles 2:13) were David’s nephews, not Levite priests
2. The ark was carried on a cart pulled by oxen (1 Chronicles 13:7)
3. As it was being transported, it seems that Uzzah touched the ark directly. If that’s the case, it’s likely that it was not covered with the veil, animal skins, and the blue cloth.
4. Against God’s commandments, Uzzah touched the ark itself (not a pole connected to it, etc.) when trying to steady it.

It is entirely possible that Uzzah had become overly familiar with the ark while it was in his father’s home for 20 years. If that were the case, Uzzah’s attempt to steady the ark may have been out of both a lack of faith and a lack of reverence.

You are awesome!

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