Dual Panel1David consulted with all his officials, including the generals and captains of his army.
2Then he addressed the entire assembly of Israel as follows: "If you approve and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send messages to all the Israelites throughout the land, including the priests and Levites in their towns and pasturelands. Let us invite them to come and join us.
3It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul."
4The whole assembly agreed to this, for the people could see it was the right thing to do.
5So David summoned all the people of Israel, from one end of the country to the other, to join in bringing the Ark of God from Kiriath–jearim.
6Then David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (also called Kiriath–jearim) to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the LORD who is enthroned between the cherubim.
7They transported the Ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it.
8David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, singing and playing all kinds of musical instruments––lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.
9But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah put out his hand to steady the Ark.
10Then the LORD’s anger blazed out against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark. So Uzzah died there in the presence of God.
11David was angry because the LORD’s anger had blazed out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez–uzzah (which means "outbreak against Uzzah"). It is still called that today.
12David was now afraid of God and asked, "How can I ever bring the Ark of God back into my care?"
13So David decided not to move the Ark into the City of David. He took it instead to the home of Obed–edom of Gath.
14The Ark of God remained there with the family of Obed–edom for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.