David and the Ark

1David consulted with all his leaders, the commanders of hundreds and of thousands. 2Then he said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if this is from the LORD our God, let us spread out and send the message to the rest of our relatives in all the districts of Israel, including the priests and Levites in their cities with pasturelands,a that they should gather together with us. 3Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Himb in Saul’s days.” 4Since the proposal seemed right to all the people, the whole assembly agreed to do it.

5So David assembled all Israel,c from the Shihor of Egypt to the entrance of Hamath,d, e to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.f 6Davidg and all Israel went to Baalahh (that is, Kiriath-jearim that belongs to Judah) to take the ark of God from there, which is called by the name of the LORD who dwells between the •cherubim.i 7At Abinadab’s housej they set the ark of God on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahiok were guiding the cart.

8David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before God with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.l 9When they came to Chidon’s threshing floor,m Uzzah reached out to hold the ark because the oxen had stumbled. 10Then the LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him dead because he had reached out to the ark.n So he died there in the presence of God.o

11David was angry because of the LORD’s outburst against Uzzah, so he named that place Outburst Against Uzzah,p as it is still named today. 12David feared God that day and said, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me? ” 13So David did not move the ark of God homeq to the city of David; instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.r 14The ark of God remained with Obed-edom’s family in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his family and all that he had.