[1] David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with
every leader. [2] And David said to all the assembly of Israel, "If it
seems good to you, and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send
abroad to our brethren who remain in all the land of Israel, and with them
to the priests and Levites in the cities that have pasture lands, that they
may come together to us. [3] Then let us bring again the ark of our God to
us; for we neglected it in the days of Saul." [4] All the assembly agreed
to do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. [5] So
David assembled all Israel from the Shihor of Egypt to the entrance of
Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kir'iath-je'arim. [6] And David and
all Israel went up to Ba'alah, that is, to Kir'iath-je'arim which belongs
to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the
name of the LORD who sits enthroned above the cherubim. [7] And they
carried the ark of God upon a new cart, from the house of Abin'adab, and
Uzzah and Ahi'o were driving the cart. [8] And David and all Israel were
making merry before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps
and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets. [9] And when they came to the
threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to hold the ark, for the
oxen stumbled. [10] And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah;
and he smote him because he put forth his hand to the ark; and he died
there before God. [11] And David was angry because the LORD had broken
forth upon Uzzah; and that place is called Pe'rez-uz'za to this day. [12]
And David was afraid of God that day; and he said, "How can I bring the ark
of God home to me?" [13] So David did not take the ark home into the city
of David, but took it aside to the house of O'bed-e'dom the Gittite. [14]
And the ark of God remained with the household of O'bed-e'dom in his house
three months; and the LORD blessed the household of O'bed-e'dom and all
that he had.
