1And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds , and with every leader . 2And David said unto all the congregation of Israel , If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God , let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel , and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs , that they may gather themselves unto us: 3And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul . 4And all the congregation said that they would do so : for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people .
The Preparation and Celebration
5So David gathered all Israel together , from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath , to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim . 6And David went up , and all Israel , to Baalah , that is , to Kirjath-jearim , which belonged to Judah , to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD , that dwelleth between the cherubims , whose name is called on it . 7And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab : and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart . 8And David and all Israel played before God with all their might , and with singing , and with harps , and with psalteries , and with timbrels , and with cymbals , and with trumpets .
The Tragic Incident
9And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon , Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark ; for the oxen stumbled . 10And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza , and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark : and there he died before God . 11And David was displeased , because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza : wherefore that place is called Perez-uzza to this day . 12And David was afraid of God that day , saying , How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?
David's Fear and the Ark's Temporary Home
13So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David , but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite . 14And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months . And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom , and all that he had.