It is not entirely clear if the men looked at the ark or into the ark. The Hebrew text simply indicates that they looked toward it. If they looked into the ark, that would be a clear violation of God’s holiness. Most likely, since the ark was meant to be covered with a goatskin and a blue cloth (see Numbers 4:1–20), the men moved the cloth to the side in order to have a good look at the ark itself. Whatever the case may be, the men treated the ark in a casual manner. The Lord’s holiness was violated by a casual indifference.1 The Israelites lacked a proper attitude of honour and reverence for the Lord.2
19 And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the LORD. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great blow.