The story of Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant is found in 2 Samuel 6:1-7 and 1 Chronicles 13:9-12.
The Ark was being transported
As the ark was being transported, the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, and a man named Uzzah took hold of the ark. God’s anger burned against Uzzah and He struck him down and he died.
No matter how innocently it was done, touching the ark was in direct violation of God’s law and was to result in death.
God gave very specific instructions regarding the transport of the Ark.
Numbers 4:15 (ESV) And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent
David took men with him to collect the ark, rather than allowing the Levites to bring it to him. That was a great mistake, since it ought never to have been put upon a cart, old or new. It was to be borne upon men’s shoulders, and carried by Levites only, and those of the family of Kohath
Familiarity with the things of God
The ark had stayed for a period of time at Abinadab’s house (2 Samuel 6:3), where his sons, Uzzah and Ahio, may well have become accustomed to its presence.
Uzzah, having been around the ark in his own home, could very likely forget the holiness that it represented.
God’s severity was in reaction to the flippancy with which David chose to transport the Ark.
Why would God kill someone who apparently was just trying to help? Uzzah knew better than to move the ark on a cart. The Israelites knew it was to be carried on two poles by the Levites. God gave very precise instructions on how to handle the ark and Uzzah ignored them - unfortunately, it cost him his life.
Reverence for God
Lack of reverence enfeebles Christians in worship and practice. In the Old Testament, God taught the Israelites how to show proper reverence by giving them hundreds of laws related to purity, holiness, and worship
In New Testament Christianity, reverence for God is demonstrated by our willingness to voluntarily die to self and obey His commands
Modern Christianity has adopted a “Jesus-is-my-buddy” attitude that grossly downplays the holiness, power, and righteous wrath of the Sovereign Creator.
James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Once we truly know who God is, we reverence Him in our hearts. Even the thief on the cross, after he realized who Jesus was, rebuked the other thief for his irreverence: “Don’t you fear God?” he said to the other thief; then he turned to Jesus and honored Him as the King (Luke 23:40–42).
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