²⁴ Zadok^(A) was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark^(B) of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar^(C) offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city.

²⁵ Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place^(D) again. ²⁶ But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.^(E)”

²⁷ The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Do you understand?^(F) Go back to the city with my blessing. Take your son Ahimaaz with you, and also Abiathar’s son Jonathan.^(G) You and Abiathar return with your two sons. ²⁸ I will wait at the fords^(H) in the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” ²⁹ So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.