A piece of furniture from the house of worship, the ark of the covenant, had to be moved. A brand new cart was hewn for the task. Uzza was one of the drivers. The cart faltered. Uzza put out his hand to steady the cargo. "The anger of the Lord burned against Uzza, so He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark; and he died there before God" (1 Chronicles 13:10).

After some reflection, King David declared his opinion to the priests. "Because you did not carry it at the first, the Lord our God made an outburst on us, for we did not seek Him according to the ordinance" (1 Chronicles 15:13).