John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And David was afraid of the Lord that day , etc.] Lest he should be smitten for his error also, and especially as he had discovered some resentment at the Lord’s dealing with Uzzah; when he ought to have been still and quiet, and submitted to the will of God, and owned his justice in it, confessed his own error, and been thankful for his sparing mercy vouchsafed to him: and said, how shall the ark of the Lord come to me ? the meaning of which is not, how it should be brought to the place provided by him in Jerusalem, now Uzzah was dead, for there were Levites enough to carry it, as they afterwards did; but as signifying that it would be either boldness and presumption in him to do it, since God had shown such a mark of his displeasure at their proceeding, that he might be in doubt whether it was the will of God it should come to him; or as fearing it would be dangerous to him to have it with him, since he might be guilty of such an error, of the same, or like it, that had been committed.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-11 - Uzzah was struck dead for touching the ark. God saw presumption an irreverence in Uzzah's heart. Familiarity, even with that which is mos 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 com 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 wh treated it wrong. The same hand that punished Uzzah's prou 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 wil fare the better.
Original Hebrew וירא3372 דוד1732 את853 יהוה3068 ביום3117 ההוא1931 ויאמר559 איך349 יבוא935 אלי413 ארון727 יהוה׃3068
