Electricity can be highly beneficial or highly dangerous. It all depends on whether or not we approach it with a proper understanding of its nature. We appreciate how electric energy improves our quality of life, but if we don’t respect its power, electricity can shock, burn, injure, or kill us. In a similar way, 1 Chronicles 13 reminds us that God’s presence can bring an enriching goodness to our lives, but we dare not overlook His devastating holiness. God had graciously promised to dwell among His people. His presence was real, and not to be viewed as merely symbolic. The invisible God had chosen to manifest His glory by means of the ark of the covenant, which was an essential component of Israelite worship. This wooden chest, overlaid with gold, was handcrafted by artisans during the period of wilderness wanderings. Here the living God made His presence known among the people. As a man after God’s heart, David longed for the nearness of the LORD. So among his first official duties as king, he proposed that the ark be brought into Jerusalem to be at the center of the kingdom. The ark had been captured by the Philistines, and later returned to Israel, where for twenty years, it was kept in obscurity at the house of Abinadab in the city of Kiriath-Jearim. As their new leader, David’s great desire was to reestablish the people’s relationship with God, whom they had not sought during the days of Saul. Representatives of the whole nation agreed to the vision, and set out on a 17-mile round-trip parade from Jerusalem to Kiriath-Jearim and back. People came flocking to the celebration in huge numbers. This was not only an important day, it was exciting! The crowd responded with great enthusiasm, singing and dancing, as the ark made its way toward the capital city (v 1-8). But the joy is suddenly quenched as the great party becomes a great tragedy. The ark was being carried on a new cart hauled by oxen and driven by the sons of Abinadab. When the oxen stumbled, it caused the cart to jolt. Uzzah reached out to steady it with his hand, making sure the ark did not slide off. And for this, the LORD strikes him dead! God was angry that His instructions for carrying the ark had been ignored. In turn, David was angry with God, but then his anger gave way to fear. However important and exciting the ark may be, it is clear there is something perilous about it. Uzzah’s fate is a fearful warning against over-familiarity with God. All the music and dancing was a shallow substitute for an attitude of deep respect for the LORD’s presence. Alarmed at the ark’s lethal holiness, David puts it down then and there, at the home of Obed-edom, who subsequently experiences great blessing (v 9-14). For further meditation: