Chapter 6: The Ark of Israel is returned to the Jewish people

1.      The Ark of Israel is returned to the Jewish people:

• Dovid gathered all of the young men of Israel for a total of 30,000 men. Dovid and all of these men that were with him from the tribe of Judah, went up to bring the ark of G-d which was called the name Hashem Tzevaos which had the Cherubs resting on it. They carried the Ark of G-d on a new wagon [which was a mistake, being that the Ark of G-d must be carried on one’s shoulders[1]] and carried it from the house of Avinadav which was in the city of Givah. Uza and his brothers, the children of Avinadav, were the ones leading the [cows which carried[2]] the new wagon. The [oxen[3]] carried the Ark of G-d from the house of Avinadav which was in Givah, and his brothers went in front of the Ark.
• The celebratory procession in front of the ark: Dovid and all the Jewish people were rejoicing in front of G-d with all different types of musical instruments, including those made from brushes and wooden pieces [i.e. a guitar], and harps and violins and flutes and trumpets, and drums and tambourines.

2.      The death of Uza:

• They arrived by the area of Goren Nachon and Uza sent his hand to grab the Ark of G-d [to protect it from falling], as the oxen which were carrying it had shaken it and made it not sturdy. And the wrath of G-d was ignited against Uza [for not trusting that G-d would take care of his own Ark[4]] and so G-d killed him there due to his forgetfulness and he died there next to the Ark of G-d. Dovid became very angry over the fact that G-d had taken his vengeance against Uza, and he called that place by the name of Peretz Uza until this very day.

[1] Rashi 6:3

[2] Radak 6:3

[3] Metzudos Dovid 6:4

[4] Metzudos Dovid 6:7