Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals." David is supposed, at this time, to have composed the sixty-eighth psalm, a most beautiful and sublime specimen of Hebrew poetry, and which was probably recited, or sung, as the ark was moving from Kirjath-jearim. The reader would do well to pause in the narrative, and peruse it. 1 When the procession had arrived at Nachon's threshing-floor, the oxen that drew the ark stumbled and shook it, which Uzzah perceiving took hold of it, to prevent its falling. This was a rash and unwarranted act. For even the Kohathites, who were appointed from among the Levites to carry the ark, were permitted to do this, (after it had been covered by the priests,) only by taking hold of the staves; and they were forbidden so much as to touch it on pain of death. The penalty, therefore, must be inflicted upon the present offender, who being himself a Levite was, undoubtedly, well acquainted with the divine injunction. "And the anger of the Lord," we are told, was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God" This was a severe blow to David. He yielded to a sinful impetuosity of temper, and "was dis pleased" at this act of divine justice, probably giving vent to his feelings in some outward expression of discontent, and calling the place by the name of Perez-uzzah, (or the breach of Uzzah,) which it afterwards bore. He was struck, too, with consternation, not knowing, as it would seem, what course to take, and exclaimed, "How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?" He feared to attempt again, certainly at present, its removal to Jerusalem, and caused it to be placed in the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite, which was close by. There it remained three months, being treated with the greatest care and reverence, and drawing down the choicest blessings upon Obed-edom, and his household, and all that pertained to him. David, being informed of this, and concluding that the divine indignation against the late irreverence shown towards the ark had passed by, determined once more to attempt its removal to Jerusalem. He had already prepared a suitable place and tabernacle for its reception, and was resolved to have every thing done, at this time, in strict conformity with the prescribed directions. Again the august assembly were convened for this purpose from all parts of the land, and the solemn injunction was laid by David upon the priests and Levites; "Sanctify yourselves, that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it not at the first, the Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order." The chief of the Levites, too, were directed to appoint certain of their brethren to be singers of the sacred songs on the occasion, "with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy."* Every thing being in readiness, David and his people proceeded in due order to the house of Obed-edom. The elders of Israel, the captains over thousands, the priests, eight hundred and sixty-two Levites, and an immense multitude attended him. He had laid aside his royal dress, and was clad in a robe of fine linen, with a priestly ephod over it; thus showing that he went as one of the ministers of the ark, to serve with the other appropriate attendants in bearing it to the place of its destination. It was taken from the house of Obed-edom with the most scrupulous care and solemnity; the Levites who were appointed to that office, bearing it on their shoulders by means of the staves which supported it. Having advanced a very short distance, David perceiving that every thing was going forward auspiciously, and that the Lord was * It is supposed that David, about this time, composed the one hundred and thirty-second Psalm. evidently adding his blessing to the work, caused the ark and the procession to stop, while, at his command, a sacrifice of oxen and fatlings were offered up. Again they were in motion towards Jerusalem, and "thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps." And so great was the joy of David on the occasion, that giving vent to his transport, while playing on some instrument, he moved before the ark in a measured and exulting step, dancing as it were, and probably keeping time with the sacred music. This kind of religious movement, or dancing, was not uncommon among the Jews. After the deliverance from the Egyptians, Miriam with her women praised God in dances as well as songs. It was practised, too, at the feasts, and in public triumphs. As they approached the tabernacle, it is supposed that the twenty-fourth Psalm was sung, the different bands of singers and musicians, at one time, conducting their appropriate parts. separately; and all, at another, breaking forth in one general strain of exultation. Thus all exclaim, David. "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; 12 One band inquires, "Who is this King of glory?" Another replies, "The Lord, strong and mighty; The Lord, mighty in battle." All again exclaim, "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; Again the inquiry is made, "Who is this King of glory?" And the reply is heard, "The Lord of hosts; He is the King of glory." CHAPTER XXV. David offers sacrifices and peace-offerings. He reproves Michal. Nathan informs him that not he, but Solomon, should build the temple. Having deposited the ark in its appropriate place, in the tabernacle which David had prepared for it, he offered burnt sacrifices and peaceofferings before God. He then pronounced a so |