20:8 These were the descendants of Rapha who lived in Gath; they were killed 6 by the hand of David and his soldiers. 7
1 tn The words “the people of” are added in the translation for clarification.
2 tn Or “to steady.”
3 tn Heb “and the anger of the
4 tn Heb “because he stretched out his hand over the ark.”
5 sn The modern reader might think God seemed to overreact here, but Israel needed a vivid object lesson of God’s holiness. By loading the ark on a cart, David had violated the instructions in God’s law (Exod 25:12-14; Num 4:5-6, 15). Uzzah’s action, however innocent it may seem, betrayed a certain lack of reverence for God’s presence. God had to remind his people that his holiness could not under any circumstances be violated.
6 tn Heb “they fell.”
7 tn Heb “his servants.”