The Men of Beth-Shemesh and the Tabernacle’s Ark of the Covenant:

1 Samuel Chapters 4-6 The Israelites had been fighting their archenemy, the Philistines. In the course of battle, the Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant. Subsequently, while in possession of the ark, the Philistines suffered many calamities. As a result, the Philistines decided to send the ark back to the Israelites on a rider-less cart pulled by cows. The Israelites rejoiced upon seeing the ark. They built an altar and offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord. During the celebration, seventy men looked inside the ark and were immediately struck dead by God. These good men were doing all they could do to please God, yet ended up disobeying God with an act that was punishable by death Numbers 4:20. God was announcing loudly and clearly: “I will be regarded as holy!” To be disobedient only one time was not good enough. God’s judgment was swift and final.