David Brings Back the Ark

1David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, including every leader. 2David said to whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to y’all, and if it is from YHWH our God, let us send word everywhere to our brothers who are remain in all the land of Israel, with whom the priests and Levites are in their cities that have pasture lands, that they may meet us. 3Also, let’s bring the ark of our God back to us again, for we didn’t seek it in the days of Saul.”

4All the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. 5So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor River of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.

6David went up with all Israel to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there God the ark of YHWH that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the Name. 7They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house; and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. 8David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with cymbals, and with trumpets.

9When they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10YHWH’s anger burned against Uzza, and he struck him because he put his hand on the ark; and he died there before God. 11David was displeased, because YHWH had broken out against Uzza. He called that place Perez Uzza, to this day. 12David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?” 13So David didn’t move the ark with him into David’s city, but carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house. 14the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months; and YHWH blessed Obed-Edom’s house and all that he had.