2 Samuel 6:1-12

Contemporary English Version

David Brings the Sacred Chest Back to Jerusalem

(1 Chronicles 13.1-14; 15.1—16.3,43)

6 David brought together 30,000 of Israel's best soldiers and ^2 (A) led them to Baalah in Judah, which was also called Kiriath-Jearim. They were going there^[a] to get the sacred chest and bring it back to Jerusalem. The throne of the Lord All-Powerful is above the winged creatures^[b] on top of this chest, and he is worshiped there.^[c]

^3 (B) They put the sacred chest on a new ox cart and started bringing it down the hill from Abinadab's house. Abinadab's sons Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the ox cart, ⁴ with Ahio^[d] walking in front of it. ⁵ Some of the people of Israel were playing music on small harps and other stringed instruments, and on tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. David and the others were happy, and they danced for the Lord with all their might.

⁶ But when they came to Nacon's threshing-floor, the oxen stumbled, so Uzzah reached out and took hold of the sacred chest. ⁷ The Lord God was very angry with Uzzah for doing this, and he killed Uzzah right there beside the chest.

⁸ David got angry with God for killing Uzzah. He named that place “Bursting Out Against Uzzah,”^[e] and that's what it's still called.

⁹ David was afraid of the Lord and thought, “Should I really take the sacred chest to my city?” ¹⁰ He decided not to take it there. Instead, he turned off the road and took it to the home of Obed Edom, who was from Gath.^[f]

^11-12 (C) The chest stayed there for three months, and the Lord greatly blessed Obed Edom, his family, and everything he owned. Then someone told King David, “The Lord has done this because the sacred chest is in Obed Edom's house.”

At once, David went to Obed Edom's house to get the chest and bring it to David's City. Everyone was celebrating.