Vengeance

Probably one of the most diabolical acts perpetrated by the guardians of the Ark against humanity was this effort by the priests of Bethshemesh against the servile people of Kirjathjearim.

The Lords of the Philistines said,” Let the God of Israel take the Ark back to where he wants it to be “

That place was Bethshemesh, a city of the Levite priesthood. A people that God entrusted the care of his word to.

They mishandled his word and 50,070 men died.

If you will remember back in the book of Joshua, there was a group of men who disguised themselves and deceived Israel to let them remain in the land, those people were the people of Kirjathjearim.

The priesthood of Bethshemesh tells Kirjathjearim to come down and take the Ark to themselves. They fully intended for the Ark to destroy them and rid themselves of a people that were a constant reminder of their shortcomings in God.

Guess what, the people of Kirjathjearim had respect for the Ark and placed it in one place untouched until King David came 20 years later to move it to the tabernacle.