1 Samuel 6 Footnotes

6:19 Why should people have to die for just looking into the ark? The people died because they disobeyed a solemn command of the Lord that promised death to anyone who violated it (Nm 4:15). Since most of the people who died were from Beth-shemesh, many of those who died were probably descendants of Israel’s first high priest Aaron (Jos 21:13-16), a family group in the priestly tribe of Levi responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Israelite religion (Nm 4:16). Very specific instructions had been given to the priests regarding the proper handling of the ark of the covenant; whenever it was outside of the tabernacle it was to be covered with three layers of cloth and leather; it was never to be seen or touched by anyone (Nm 4:5-6,15). For the priests, God’s primary representatives on earth, to leave it uncovered and then permit the Israelites to look inside it represented a flagrant disregard for God’s holiness which demanded immediate punishment. The sanctity of God’s holy throne (2Sm 6:2) must never be violated.