Why God Delayed the Death of Nadab and Abihu

"In the wilderness of Sinai" (ibid., i.e., Numbers 3:4). [Rabbi Meir said:] Did they then die in the wilderness of Sinai? Rather, from Mount Sinai they received their verdict of death, [though they died only later at the Tent of Meeting]. [This may be compared] to a king who was marrying off his daughter, and something filthy was found in his groomsman. The king said: If I put him to death [now], I will hold up the rejoicing of my daughter. Tomorrow my own celebration is coming; better [that I deal with him] at my own celebration and not at my daughter's celebration. So too the Holy One, blessed be He, said: If I put Nadab and Abihu to death now, I will hold up the rejoicing of the Torah. Tomorrow My own celebration is coming; better [that it be] at My own celebration and not at the celebration of the Torah. This is what is written (Song of Songs 3:11): "On the day of his wedding, and on the day of the gladness of his heart" — "on the day of his wedding," this is the day of the giving of the Torah; "and on the day of the gladness of his heart," this is the Tent of Meeting.