000 Allen FMT (i-xxii) - The Presbyterian Leader

Proper 10 [15]/Year B
2 Samuel 6:1–5, 12b–19+ (Semicontinuous)
Proper 10 [15]/Year B 165
The ark, because it represented the immediate presence and power of
YHWH, was one of the most potent physical symbols in Israel. The ark
was a box containing two stone tablets of the covenant (Deut. 9:11; 10:5)
on which were two cherubim—figures with the bodies of animals, the
heads of human beings, and wings. Although God was said to be enthroned
in the space between the cherubim (e.g., 1 Sam. 4:4; 2 Sam. 6:2), at its best,
Israelite theology believed that God was present at all times. The ark was
a physical reminder of that conviction, but it remained where it had been
placed after capture by the Philistines (1 Sam. 4:1b–11; 5:1–12; 1 Sam.
6:1–7:2).
In last week’s reading, David was anointed ruler over all of Israel and
moved the capital of the newly unified monarchy from Hebron to
Jerusalem (2 Sam. 5:1–10). Now the monarch seeks to bring the ark itself
to Jerusalem. Presumably, David wants to be aligned with the power of
YHWH as represented by the ark, and in its new location it will serve the
political purpose of indicating the union of Judah and Israel.
At Baale-judah (another name for Keriath-jearim), the people place
the ark on a new cart to replace the one they broke up and burned as part
of the sacrifices of joy when the Philistines returned the ark (1 Sam.
6:13–16), and they bring the ark in a joyous procession that included dancing,
singing, and instruments (2 Sam. 6:1–5).
The lectionary omits the part of the passage that raises a profound theological
issue. Uzzah sees that the ark is about to fall off the cart and
reaches a hand to steady it, whereupon God immediately killed Uzzah
(1 Sam. 6:6–7). Scholars usually explain that Uzzah had not prepared in
the proper ritual way to touch the ark. His immediate death even while
doing something helpful reinforces the importance of obedience and the
consequences of disobedience—vintage Deuteronomic themes (see
Proper 17/Year B). David names the place Perez-uzzah, “Bursting Out
Against Uzzah” (NRSV note) and is so fearful that the traveling group
leaves the ark with Obed-edom, a Gittite. Only after David saw that the
ark blessed the household of Obed-edom for three months did David
bring the ark to Jerusalem (6:8–11).
Arriving in Jerusalem, the entourage engages in a typical ancient Near
Eastern ritual of welcoming a new national deity to the city: a procession
with pageantry, sacrifices along the way, dramatic rituals as the statue was