1 Chronicles 13: Blessed by God

When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 
The LORD ’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. 
Then David was angry because the LORD ’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. 
David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”
He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed–Edom the Gittite.
The ark of God remained with the family of Obed–Edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he had. - 1 Chron. 13:9-14 NIV

This story has always fascinated me.  Why was Uzzah killed for touching the Ark while Obed-Edom, who was a Philistine rather than an Israelite, was blessed during the Ark's stay at his house.  This must say something about the difference in the responsibilities of those who are the children of God and those who are not.  There is a different and higher expectation for God's chosen.  We cannot treat Him, His commandments, or the gospel lightly.  There will be consequences for doing so.  That is not true for those who are of the world.  They do not have the same requirements, and contrary to what many of us think is fair, they are often blessed by God for no reason other than they have come into his presence.  What would explain Jesus healing even those who were not his chosen disciples, those who did nothing more than reach out a hand to touch the hem of his garment? What would explain Jesus feeding the five thousand when they were probably not all believers?

God extends a gracious hand to all.  Did Obed-Edom start following the God of Israel?  Was he aware of the grace that had been given to him for hosting the Ark?  It's not ours to know, but for at least three months, Obed-Edom was blessed by God.

NOTE:  After further reading, it has become clear that Obed-Edom was not a Philistine...he was of the Levite clan, but my thoughts that God expects more of his chosen people than others still stand.