Uzzah

Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Uzzah

Son of Abinadab at whose house in Kirjath Jearim the ark stayed 20 years. Eleazar was his elder brother (1Sa 7:1), Ahio his younger brother. The latter and Uzzah drove the new cart wherein the ark was carried from Abinadab's house for removal to Zion (1Ch 13:7). The oxen drawing it stumbled, slipping over the smooth rock at "the threshing floor of Chidon" (1Ch 13:9) or "Nachon" (2Sa 6:6), or rather "of disaster" (chidon from chid) or "the stroke" (nachon) from naachah). Perez Uzzah (the breach on Uzzah) was eventually the name (contrast Jehovah's "breaking forth upon David's enemies as the breach of waters," Baal Perazim, 2Sa 5:20) Uzzah tried with his hand to prevent the ark's shaking, but, God smote him for the offense (fault: shal). David felt displeased or excited, not toward God, but at the calamity which he attributed to himself and his undertaking. Uzzah though with good intentions had in his rash act forgotten the reverence due to the ark, the earthly throne and visible pledge of the presence of the unseen God. The Lord's service is no excuse for self-willed service. We must…