David has been crowned king of Israel but the nation is incomplete without the ark of the covenant because it represented the presence of God. Uzzah puts out his hand to steady the ark as it is transported, and God strikes him down dead because He had given instructions for carrying the ark. It was not touching the ground that would have desecrated it but the touch of sinful man! We must not trifle with sin or presume on the mercy of God. However, He alone is where mercy can be found.