But "when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God smote him there for his rashness;[* MARGINAL READING] and there he died by the ark of God." A sudden terror fell upon the rejoicing throng. David was astonished and greatly alarmed, and in his heart he questioned the justice of God. He had been seeking to honor the ark as the symbol of the divine presence. Why, then, had that fearful judgment been sent to turn the season of gladness into an occasion of grief and mourning? Feeling that it would be unsafe to have the ark near him, David determined to let it remain where it was. A place was found for it nearby, at the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

Men da de kom til Nakons tærskeplads, rakte Uzza hånden ud og greb fat i Guds ark, fordi okserne snublede. Da blussede Herrens vrede op mod Uzza, og Gud slog ham der, fordi han rakte hånden ud mød arken, og han døde på stedet ved siden af Guds ark. Den jublende skare blev pludselig grebet af rædsel. David blev højlig forfærdet og betvivlede i sit hjerte Guds retfærdighed. Han havde bestræbt sig på at hædre Guds ark, fordi den var symbolet på Guds nærværelse. Hvorfor skulle denne frygtelige ulykke så have lov til at vende glæden til sorg? David kom til det resultat, at det var farligt at anbringe arken i sin nærhed, og besluttede at lade den blive, hvor den var. Man fandt et sted til den i nærheden, i gatittens Obed-Edoms hus.