²⁴ Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices^[a] until the people had finished marching past.^{(A) 25} Then the king instructed Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city.^(B) If I find favor with the Lord, he will bring me back and allow me to see both it and its^[b] dwelling place.^{(C) 26} However, if he should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am—he can do with me whatever pleases him.”^[c](D)

²⁷ The king also said to the priest Zadok,^(E) “Look,^[d] return to the city in peace and your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. ²⁸ Remember, I’ll wait at the fords^[e] of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” ²⁹ So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.